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Sydney Thunder hit 150 runs against the Adelaide Strikers just FOUR DAYS after a pathetic 15 run total against the same opponents… but Alex Hales’ solid innings still aren’t enough to prevent another loss
Behind another masterclass from Matt Short, the riotous Adelaide Strikers have maintained their perfect start to the BBL season with a six wicket victory over the Sydney Thunder at Adelaide Oval.
Short (65) was circumspect early Tuesday night before exploding after the power play to steer the ladder-leading Strikers past the Thunder’s 5-150 run with eight turnovers to spare and a 3-0 record.
After the early departure of Jake Weatherald (seven), Short, this season’s leading run-scorer, opened his shoulders and pounded five sixes on his scintillating 44-ball strike.
Matt Short made 65 off 44 balls as the Strikers sealed a six wicket victory over the Thunder
Thomas Kelly (left) and Adam Hose (right) watched the Strikers at home Tuesday night.
Short, who was also stingy with the ball (0-13 in three overs), liked Daniel Sams’ offer and dominated an 83-run second-wicket joint with Chris Lynn (28), who was cast in the unlikely role second violin.
Both men fell to superb yorkers from left-arm pacer Nathan McAndrew (2-25), Lynn Castle disturbed and Short trapped up front, before England import Adam Hose (28th) stepped in and applied the finishing touches.
Earlier, the Strikers bowlers put their team in a strong position after recovering from an early attack by Alex Hales.
The English master blaster top-scored with 68, but was held relatively in check after cracking down 36 of the Thunder’s 39 power runs.
Chris Lynn fielded an 83-run second wicket partnership with Short before being bowled
Nathan McAndrew took out both Short and Lynn with an excellent fast bowling spell
Alex Hales crushed 68 of 50 balls, but it wasn’t enough for Sydney to cross the line
The Adelaide crowd erupted into a round of applause in the third as the Thunder’s score surpassed the T20 world record of 15 that they embarrassingly posted against the Strikers on Friday night.
Hales put in 63 for the third wicket with the young Ollie Davies (42) before both succumbed to de Grandhomme (2-25).
The Thunder, whose win-loss record dropped to 1-3, were looking for over 180 after going to 2-79 at half-time before being held to 3-71, including just three caps, in the last 10 overs. .
Friday destroyer Henry Thornton captured 2-19 to take his season tally to 11 wickets at a phenomenal average of 3.82.