Jason Gillespie says Adelaide Strikers can defend title by backing Bulldozer Colin Ingram

Jason Gillespie believes Adelaide can defend its Big Bash League title despite being ravaged by international commitments, misfiring batting and difficult run to finals qualification.

Rashid Khan of the Strikers. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

• BBL SuperCoach Round 10 trade guide
• Wade smashes Strikers to push Test case

Jason Gillespie believes Adelaide can defend its Big Bash League title despite being ravaged by international commitments, misfiring batting and difficult run to finals qualification.

Adelaide is in fifth spot with five matches remaining, a point and significant net run rate behind fourth-placed Sydney Thunder.

Adelaide Strikers stand in skipper Colin Ingram bats during the Big Bash League aganst Hobart Hurricanes at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

“There is no reason why we can’t, obviously it is disappointing to lose our last couple of games,’ said Gillespie of clinching back-to-back titles.

“We have to convert the training prep, good communication and game plans into good performances on the ground and that will come.”

Adelaide faces a tough run home including Melbourne Stars in Moe on Wednesday before away bouts against top two units Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers.

Test great Gillespie warns the champion must fix its top four batting woes and scoring inertia which have placed enormous pressure on South African blaster Colin Ingram to maintain his 150 strikerate.

An undefeated 158-run stand from Hobart openers Matthew Wade (84, 49 balls) and D’Arcy Short (73, 52) chewed up Adelaide’s 154 total on Monday night.

“Full credit to Wadey and D’Arcy Short. They outplayed us, we have to learn those lessons,” said Gillespie.

Keeper Alex Carey (443 at 49), Travis Head (374 at 53) and Jake Weatherald (383) filled the top four slots behind top run scorer Short (572) in BBL 07. Short remains the leading run scorer this season on 441 followed by Wade’s 323.

Carey has been away on Australian one-day duty but averages 27 over seven starts while opening partner Weatherald is averaging 25 over nine. Adelaide has two opening stands over 50 this season and four under 10 runs while its net run of -0.229 is a concern.

“A bit more urgency and not leaving it to one or two guys. Colin carried the last couple of games, we need to share the load,” said Gillespie

The revolving absence of Test batsman Head, quicks Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake and Carey is no excuse for failure says Gillespie.

“Players come and go and that is the reality. You need to be adaptable and that is what we challenge our players to be. That is part and parcel of it,” said Gillespie.

Originally published as Jason Gillespie says Adelaide Strikers can defend title by backing Bulldozer Colin Ingram