Colin Ingram has backed his premier attack to take down Hurricanes gun Darcy Short

THE man Adelaide Strikers must “Short-circuit” to retain a top two BBL spot.

Adelaide skipper Colin Ingram congratulates Hilton Cartwright following Perth Scorchers at Traeger Park in Alice Springs. Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images.

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COLIN Ingram says Adelaide’s crack attack must bulldoze Hobart and its record-breaking hitter Darcy Short in the crunch clash for a home Big Bash League final tonight at Adelaide Oval.

The Hurricanes can tip the Strikers from second spot with a sixth successive win at Adelaide Oval.

Short’s fourth half century (59, 49 balls) against Brisbane Heat on Monday night in Hobart swelled his BBL 2017-18 aggregate to a 465 runs at 77.5 at a defining 153.46 strikerate.

“He has been in great nick but I have never been one to fear an opposition,” said Ingram of Short who smashed Shaun Marsh’s five-year record for most runs in an Australian domestic Twenty20 season.

“He has played really well and when you in that golden patch it is nice to bat and it seems a bit easier. Maybe he is due a low score and hopefully we get him.”

Colin Ingram of the Adelaide Strikers shakes hands with Hilton Cartwright of the Perth Scorchers after their Big Bash League loss at Traeger Park, Alice Springs. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Short, 27, has been the only batsman to get off the chain against Adelaide this summer, blasting a match-winning 96 off 58 balls at Bellerive on January 4.

Strikers interim captain Ingram backed arguably BBL’s premier attack - led by leg-spinner Rashid Khan and express Billy Stanlake - to prevail in a second shot at Short.

“We have guys who can knock over anyone in the world over so that is awesome for us,” said former South African batsman Ingram.

“It is nice when you are in great knick, things seem to go your way so hopefully someone bowls him a good nut early.”

Ingram, known as the “Bulldozer” for his clean hitting, assumes heavy responsibility to fire with in-form keeper-batsman Alex Carey given Travis Head is on Australian one-day duty.

Ingram said Adelaide was a better batting unit than its 112 in a six-wicket loss to Perth Scorchers on Saturday reflected and relished returning to its fast, home strip.

“I don’t think we have been far off. We have scraped together totals,” he said.

“The last game wasn’t ideal, we probably didn’t sum it up right and put enough runs on the board.

“Even though some of the dismissals last game didn’t look good I like the mindset the guys are in.

“It wasn’t nice losing one in Alice Springs. It would be great to get another win. We back the squad and the guys who have been doing the business.”

Kelvin Smith deserves a start as replacement batsman for Head. Left-hander Smith struck 77 off 42 balls in the West End T20 Cup last week and an unbeaten 104 before Christmas. Smith last featured for the Strikers a year ago but registered two second-XI tons for South Australia this season.