Match 49, Adelaide, January 14, 2022, 05:10 AM
Perth Scorchers
127/9(20.0ov)
Adelaide Strikers
130/4(17.0ov)
Adelaide Strikers beat Perth Scorchers by 6 wickets
Right then! That is it from this game but the action in BBL continues as we have a double-header on Saturday, 15th January. Adelaide Strikers will be going up against Melbourne Stars at 5.10 am IST (11.40 pm GMT, Previous Day). The second game of the day will see Sydney Thunder locking horns against Sydney Sixers at 1.10 pm IST (7.40 am GMT). Do join us for the coverage. Till then, goodbye and cheers!
Player of the Match, Fawad Ahmed says that he is very pleased with his performance. Admits that the first two overs were not great but he came back strongly. Shares that he has been playing with a fractured rib and it's been tough for him this season. Adds that when you work hard, it bears fruit at some stage. Hopes to win important games for the team.
Peter Siddle, the victorious captain of Adelaide Strikers, has a big smile on his face, as always. Says that all the games are big for them. Mentions that they decided to bowl first and it paid off, and he credits the bowling unit. Adds that they are peaking well and have the momentum. Mentions that they have another big game next against the Stars and he hopes to do well. Praises Harry Conway for his bowling efforts and calls him a great addition to the squad. Regarding the pitch of the fifth Ashes Test coming up, Siddle feels that there will be a bit of seam movement early on but if you bat well, you can score big runs. Further says that a strong captain will bowl first on that wicket in Hobart.
The Strikers were without their ace spinner Rashid Khan in this match but that didn't affect them much. Peter Siddle led them superbly and Fawad Ahmed was brilliant as well. The wicket of Ashton Turner in the 10th over of the first innings can be termed as the turning point as at that moment, Perth Scorchers had recovered well. The only blemish for Adelaide Strikers would be to let go off the Bash Boost point. Despite having the required rate under control and 9 wickets in hand, they didn't go full throttle for that one point which could be decisive in the end.
A convincing win for Adelaide Strikers. Their bowlers set it up nicely by restricting Perth Scorchers to a below-par total and then the opening stand between Matthew Short and Henry Hunt nearly put the chase to bed. There were a few wickets that fell but the Strikers were always in control of the chase and Ian Cockbain steered them home by staying there till the end. Apart from Aaron Hardie, there is nothing to write home about Perth Scorchers' bowling. A day to forget for them.
Adelaide Strikers have hunted down the big fish with a clinical win! This victory has kept their hopes alive this season and they will be buoyed after taking down Perth Scorchers, the table-toppers. The Scorchers had an off day, both with the bat and ball, and failed to seal their number one spot on the table. They still will have another chance to do that though. Apart from gaining crucial points from this match, Adelaide Strikers also pocket the Jason Gillespie Trophy.
In over# 17
4
1
4
0
6
1
Aaron Hardie 31/3(4)
16.6
4
FOUR! There it is! Aaron Hardie delivers it on a length and outside off, Ian Cockbain latches onto it and belts it over covers for a boundary. Adelaide Strikers win by 6 wickets, with three overs to spare.
16.5
1
Ohh..just in front of Jason Behrendorff! A slower length ball, on middle. Kelly chips it in the air towards mid on and gets a single. It falls short of Jason Behrendorff at mid on.
16.4
4
FOUR! Kelly wants to finish the chase quickly. Back of a length, around off, Thomas stands back to get on top of the bounce and pulls it cleanly over mid-wicket.
16.3
.
Tight line this time. On a length, on off. Kelly defends this towards the off side.
16.2
6
SIX! A flat hit! Short in length and around off, Thomas Kelly rides the bounce and bullets it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
16.1
1
Slower shorter length delivery on off. Ian Cockbain pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Aaron Hardie to bowl his last over. Can he add more wickets to his tally?
In over# 16
3
1
1
1
0
0
Lance Morris 21/0(3)
15.6
3
Well fielded by Tye! Too full in length and around off, Cockbain plays a punchy drive through the line and the fielder at covers tries to dive and stop it to his right. The ball though bounces over him. Tye, from mid off, gives it a chase and slides near the fence to pull it back in. Saves one run for his side. 14 needed more off 24 balls.
15.5
1
Cleverly played. Slower one, a touch short and outside off, Thomas plays late and eases it down to third man for one.
15.4
1
Short and around off, pulled in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.
15.3
1
Kelly goes back in his crease and guides it through backward point for a single.