Adelaide Strikers collapse as Sydney Thunder claim thrilling win to keep BBL title hopes alive
The Sydney Thunder have knocked Adelaide Strikers out of the Big Bash, capitalising on a dismissal that could have been avoided.
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On the day Britain celebrated Brexit, Sydney Thunder opener Alex Hales took Adelaide out of the BBL title race with a clutch knock.
English star Hales’ 59 in 35 balls ensured the Thunder will face fading Melbourne Stars in Thursday night’s Challenger at the MCG for a grand final berth against Sydney Sixers.
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Looking on course for victory at 3-115 chasing 152 the Strikers lost 5-24 and a second title dream. Adelaide needed 13 off the final over but Jon Wells (34 off 27) dismissal to Chris Morris sealed an eight-run Thunder win.
All seemed lost for Adelaide with 34 needed from 18 balls but Michael Neser (12) gave the host a chance as Chris Tremain conceded 18.
Australian 2020 Twenty20 World Cup prospect Wells enhanced his finisher reputation but ran out of partners.
IMPLOSION
Fourth wicket pair Alex Carey (28) and Wells methodically repaired the innings from 3-65 before a calamitous run-out left 37 runs from 30 balls.
Carey put on 51 with Wells before attempting a kamikaze run against Callum Ferguson at mid-off. Rashid Khan and Matt Short quickly departed.
KEY BATTLES
Jonathan Cook’s (2/16) four-wicket haul eliminated Hobart and the leg-spinner forced Travis Head (32, 23) to chop on as the Strikers skipper threatened to get off the chain.
Cook triggered a double breakthrough snaring Rashid Khan after Carey’s run-out.
Thunder spearhead Daniel Sams (3/26) added to his season high wicket tally by removing in-form opener Phil Salt (18) then big-hitting Neser.
Earlier, Head won the toss but surprised by bowling first having chased just three times this season. Linchpins Peter Siddle (2/21) and Rashid (1/24) stood up.
Ferguson was filthy at an lbw verdict awarded to Siddle with height a factor.
Siddle’s return deflection off Arjun Nair (18 off 18 balls) stopped a promising knock then the veteran yorked Daniel Sams (10) to ensure an under par 7-151 total. Thunder banked 26 from a dry last four overs.
Head held Rashid back until the 10th over and the world’s best T20 bowler deceived Hales with his seventh delivery. Rashid was the only Strikers bowler who troubled Hales, ending an imposing 51 run stand in 33 balls with Alex Ross (12).
Usman Khawaja (15) won the BBL 05 semi-final in Adelaide with a ton but Neser (1/21) rattled his Queensland teammates’ stumps to win a key duel.
HALESTORM
Hales has put a tough 2019 behind him to make every post a winner this BBL with 568 runs at 40. Hales is just 44 runs behind Melbourne Stars opener Marcis Stoinis’ gold cap at a hot 147.91 strikerate.
Rangy opener Hales would have featured in England’s victorious 2019 World Cup squad if not for off field indiscretions.
Hales copped blows to the groin and bread basket but soldiered on for a fourth half century in five innings. Hales exploited width with four mammoth sixes.