HUR VS STR MATCH 33

Right then, that is it from this entertaining game where Adelaide Strikers stay alive in the tournament while the Hobart Hurricanes go out on a disappointing note. However, the action in the Big Bash League 2023/24 continues as Sydney Sixers take on their rivals Sydney Thunder on 12th January, Friday at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Jake Weatherald is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating match-winning knock. He says the batters have done well throughout the tournament and he has had his difficulties this season but is happy with his knock here. Adds that he would be happy to sit on the bench in the next match watching Chris Lynn play. He tells he wasn't too sure about the result as the Strikers are always a tough team to beat but their batting line-up is exceptional as well. He says that he is happy to challenge Patrick Dooley and get maximum runs out of his over, as he has faced him so much and knows what he thinks while bowling. He thinks that this game was excellent to push for the finals as they have all the ingredients to win the championship because of the bowlers and batters they have on their team.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Hobart Hurricanes posted a fighting total on the board courtesy of some good knocks from Caleb Jewell and Macalister Wright while cameos towards the end from Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, and Corey Anderson helped them get to that score. Henry Thornton, Cameron Boyce, and Jamie Overton picked up a couple of wickets each for the Strikers. While chasing, the two Shorts gave them a good start while Jake Weatherald blew away the Hurricanes with a stunning knock.

There is not much really to say about the bowling of Hobart Hurricanes. They needed early breakthroughs to put pressure on the chasing side, but that was not the case. Although Nikhil Chaudhary and Chris Jordan were able to send back the openers in the middle overs, they could not survive the Jake Weatherald storm. They failed to step up in this virtual knockout game and will have to go back to the drawing board and come back stronger in the next season. However, they still have one game left and will look to end on a positive note with a win.

Adelaide Strikers once again were able to utilise the Powerplay excellently thanks to the leading run-scorer of the season, Matthew Short who found the fence on command while getting decent support from his namesake at the other end. They added 57 runs together but were dismissed in successive overs, which gave a bit of hope to the opponents. However, that hope was crushed very soon by Jake Weatherald who counter-attacked and smashed Dooley for 20 runs in an over which changed the momentum completely. Weatherald did not stop at all after and continued to smash the bowlers all around the park reaching his half-century in just 25 balls. Adam Hose held the other end well too with a sensible 25 off 21 balls. Fittingly, Weatherald finished things off with a huge maximum remaining unbeaten on 80 off just 32 balls completing this chase inside 16 overs.

Take a bow, Jake Weatherald! What a breathtaking knock we have witnessed here from him on his return to the side, and that too in a do-or-die game. No Chris Lynn, no problem for the Adelaide Strikers. They keep their hopes alive for the playoffs and, in the process, knock the Hobart Hurricanes out of the tournament. This win is even more significant as the Strikers also break a nine-game losing streak on the road.

SIX! Ends it in style. Adelaide Strikers have won the match with 4 overs left. Jake Weatherald finishes at 80 off just 32 balls finishing the game with a huge six. Patrick Dooley pitches the ball up at the stumps again and Jake Weatherald launches another slow sweep taking the ball over deep mid-wicket for another huge hit.

SIX! Pitched up again and it's SIX again from the bat of Jake Weatherald. 104 meters this time into the Top Tier over deep mid-wicket once again. Massive six again and its just 5 runs required now for the Adelaide Strikers to seal the game.

Holds the length back on the off stump line. Adam Hose punches the ball to sweepers and takes a run.

Just short at the stumps. Jake Weatherald stays back and flicks the ball to deep square leg and runs a single.

SIX! Pitches the ball up on the stumps and Jake Weatherald launches the ball high and out of the ground. 89 meters huge six over deep mid-wicket. Easily the shot of the innings so far.

Pitches the ball up on the stumps. Jake Weatherald taps the ball to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Flicked away and up and over short fine leg for a superb boundary. On the pads from Chris Jordan this time and Jake Weatherald says thank you and flicks it in the air over short fine for a boundary.

Pitches the ball up with pace. Adam Hose drives the ball to sweepers and runs a single.

Pitches the ball up on the off stump. Takes the pace off it. Adam Hose steps down and launches a big heave over mid off and comes back for a couple.

FIVE WIDES! Disaster by Chris Jordan. Bowls a bouncer way outside the leg stump line, far enough for the keeper as well. The ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.