BBL Eliminator: Strikers down Hobart

Both the Adelaide openers scored brilliant half-centuries to give a solid start to their side as the Strikers registered their 5th successive win in the season.

Peter Siddle was the star with the ball for the Strikers as he picked up a superb 4 wicket haul to set up the Strikers clash with the Sydney Thunder’s on Sunday in a knockout game. 

Adelaide Strikers      20 overs      188-6

M. Short 89 (48)                    Meredith 2-37                                                                                                                        A. Carey 67 (45)                     Rogers 2-37

Hobart Hurricanes   19.4 overs  166 all-out

D. Short 56 (34)                  Siddle 4-32                                                                                                                                           C. Jewell 35 (31)                 Thornton 2-25

Alex Carey returned in the BBL with a half-century as the Adelaide Strikers defeated the Hobart Hurricanes by 22 runs at the MCG.

This season of BBL for Hobart Hurricanes also ended with this defeat because it was the Eliminator match which is a must-win game between the fourth- and fifth-ranked sides of the tournament.

Alex Carey scored 67 off 45 balls in his comeback game after playing the Ashes, he shared a brilliant opening stand with Matthew Short, who smashed 89 runs today.

Due to the outstanding opening partnership, Adelaide Strikers ended their innings on 188-6 from their 20 overs. 

Striker’s strong bowling attack then demolished the inconsistent Hurricanes for 166 runs.

Adelaide Strikers have marched into unexpected title contention after their fifth consecutive victory to confirm a face-off with the third-placed Sydney Thunder in the Knockout game on Sunday.

Carey and Short provided an excellent start

Matthew Short and Alex Carey destroyed the Hurricanes bowling attack with their superb batting performance.

Short and Carey provided a dream start to their side by smashing a 145 runs opening partnership to set the platform for a big total.

The Ashes winners Alex Carey and Travis Head returned to their Big Bash franchise in this match and Alex Carey scored a brilliant half-century on his return.

He smashed 67 runs off just 45 balls. 

His partner, Matthew Short also played an excellent knock, he scored 89 runs off just 48 balls including 4 fours and 6 sixes.

He was also awarded Player of the match due to his all-round performance as he also picked the most important wicket of the in-form Ben McDermott in the very first over of the innings.

Hurricanes bowling attack struggles  

The bowling attack of Hobart Hurricanes struggled despite the return of Ashes Hero, Scott Boland.

Hurricanes mostly missed their leading spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who has left the league due to national duties.

Hurricanes made a small comeback, in the end, to restrict Striker’s on just 188 runs after that lethal opening stand

Strikers also shine with the ball 

Adelaide Striker’s were also excellent both with the bowl and in the field.

The experienced, Peter Siddle claimed a four-wicket haul including the big wickets of Matthew Wade and Tim David to restrict the Hurricanes 22 runs short of the target.

Henry Thornton and Harry Conway also bowled superb spells as they picked up 2 wickets each.

Thornton held his nerves to dismiss the dangerous-looking D’Arcy Short, who almost dragged the game away from Strikers.

Short got out after playing an entertaining cameo of 56 runs off just 34 balls.