Big Bash League: Glenn Maxwell’s touching tribute as Strikers sink sliding Stars
Their place at the top of the Big Bash standings may be secure but the Melbourne Stars have now dropped two in a row as hard-charging Adelaide Strikers pulled off an important win.
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Rescue specialist Jon Wells defied a Peter Handscomb-inspired Melbourne Stars as Adelaide regained control of its top two destiny with an 11-run home triumph.
The Stars - chasing 163 - required 53 from 18 balls, then 22 from the final over, and unconquered Handscomb (65) got his men close.
The Stars (8-151) had booked a top two qualifier spot that offers a double chance and direct entry to the BBL final. Adelaide needed victory to regain second spot from Sydney Sixers with two rounds remaining.
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Strikers skipper Travis Head attacked the Stars with break-out seamer Wes Agar (2-30) and the rookie repaid him with the scalps of Glenn Maxwell (19) and Nick Larkin (19).
Peter Siddle (4-33) continues to deliver for the Strikers, nullifying golden cap Marcus Stoinis then sealing victory by removing Clint Hinchliffe, Adam Zampa (6) and Daniel Worrall (0).
Requiring 73 from 34 balls, keeper Seb Gotch launched Michael Neser to Rashid Khan at deep square leg which left Handscomb an unforgiving chase.
MAX FACTOR
Maxwell kissed his arm band and pointed to the sky to acknowledge the passing of a close mate after foiling in-form opener Phil Salt (22 off 14).
Maxwell took a mental health break after the October 30 Twenty20 clash against Sri Lanka at the Gabba.
The Victorian was a surprise omission – particularly for India skipper Virat Kohli - from Australia’s one-day tour of India.
Australia’s loss is the Stars’ gain with 372 runs at 53. Maxwell (1-19) delivered impeccable figures while he was on a mission in the field, throwing down stumps and keeping the Strikers batsmen on edge.
It’s been a tough summer for allrounder Maxwell but his resilience in Adelaide had to be admired after handing captaincy duties to Handscomb.
DOING WELL
Wells (55 off 36) is BBL’s most underrated batsman - a top six all-time run scorer with 1718 at 35.8 behind Maxwell’s 1804 at 34.
Compact Wells is third on the aggregate this season with 406 runs at a peerless 81.2 average.
Wells rescues the Strikers time and again in the middle order with low risk tactics punctuated by six unbeaten knocks.
Strong square of the wicket, Wells gives bowlers little margin for error. He’s diminutive but Wells has a big ticker with a fourth half century this BBL.
Wells and No.6 batsman Matt Short (23) have gelled since united in the middle order with three half century unions this campaign.
The unbeaten fifth-wicket duo’s 71-run stand off 41 balls gave the Strikers attack a total to defend that looked unlikely at 3-51 when Jake Weatherald exited.
SPIN CITY
Adelaide went (1-38) in a power play that would have been worse if not for Phil Salt’s (22) 17 runs off Worrall in the third over.
Hinchliffe’s (3-19) slow left-arm orthodox skittled Head (5), deceived Weatherald (15 off 27) then removed dangerous Alex Carey (33 off 21).
Skipper Handscomb employed 14 overs of spin in the initial 17.
Originally published as Big Bash League: Glenn Maxwell’s touching tribute as Strikers sink sliding Stars