Rashid Khan says Adelaide Strikers will field the best team since their BBL07 title win, with Travis Head and Alex Carey reunited
Superstar spinner Rashid Khan says the Adelaide Strikers team that will face Glenn Maxwell’s Melbourne Stars on Wednesday night is the best he’s seen since the franchise’s BBL07 title victory.
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Rashid Khan believes Adelaide will hit Melbourne Stars with its best outfit since winning the BBL07 title in a Wednesday night clash of the titans.
Adelaide is targeting a win that reclaims second spot from Sydney Sixers and pole position for Friday week’s qualifier against minor premier Stars that offers grand final entry.
Rashid said the Strikers no longer rely on his prodigious leg-spin, while the reunion of Australian keeper-batsman Alex Carey and skipper Travis Head for the first time this BBL restores a championship core.
“The backbone of the team is Alex Carey and Travis Head. The captain, it is really nice to see him back on track, scoring, hitting those big sixes,” said Rashid of Head, who reminded national selectors of his white ball mastery with a matchwinning 79 off 40 balls against Hobart on Sunday.
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“We are pretty happy to have him back, he’s in form.
“He hit a Test hundred against New Zealand.”
Carey was equal second on the competition run aggregate with 266 before leaving for Australia’s one-day tour of India.
Adelaide appeared a key batsman short in the first half of the campaign.
Carey’s return presents a top five for all occasions comprising English import Phil Salt, Jake Weatherald, Head, Carey and Jon Wells – ranked seventh for all-time BBL runs.
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Carey (443), Weatherald (383) and Head (374) filled the top four run-scorers behind Hurricanes opener D’Arcy Short when the Strikers won an inaugural title two years ago.
“We have Alex Carey next game, which is a perfect combination and that will makes us stronger and stronger,” said Rashid ahead of battle against Glenn Maxwell’s Stars, to be reinforced by Australian one-day duo Adam Zampa and Peter Handscomb.
“From here, every game is important for us to contribute and win.
“We have to keep positive and enjoy it.”
Rashid took 19 wickets at 18.1 last season, but rivals sat off the gamebreaker then took on his teammates.
The Afghani tweaker has 16 wickets at 18 this summer, seamer Peter Siddle 12 at 18 while rookie Wes Agar is impressing with 11 at 18.8.
Leg-spinner Liam O’Connor enjoyed a three-wicket outing against Melbourne Renegades, and former Australian tearaway Billy Stanlake’s omission for two weeks is the hallmark of a solid attack.
“This tournament the beauty is everyone is taking charge. Sidds is bowling wonderfully, Wes Agar, Harry Conway, Liam O’Connor and Neser. Everyone is contributing,” said Rashid, who scaled Adelaide Oval with Salt in a unique pre-game preparation on Monday.
Rashid went wicketless for the first-time this season in Launceston, but the “pressure” he felt to “perform or lose” has gone.
“Everyone is taking responsibility in the batting and bowling departments,” said Rashid, with Adelaide finishing the regular season against the Stars, Hobart and Perth.
“We have to continue that for the upcoming matches.”