BBL, Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers: Dan Christian, Ben Manenti inspire big win for men in pink

Dan Christian scored the second-fastest half-century in Big Bash history as Sydney Sixers took full advantage of a move that quickly turned sour for Adelaide Strikers.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20: Dan Christian of the Sixers bats during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Adelaide Strikers at Blundstone Arena, on December 20, 2020, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The unintended consequences of the Big Bash rule changes have again turned a clash on its heels, with an X-factor substitution blowing up in the face of Adelaide.

The Strikers had their foot on the throat of Sydney after 10 overs with the Sixers 2-52.

At that stage Strikers skipper Alex Carey sent English spinner Danny Briggs to the bench (one over for five runs) for debutant allrounder Liam Scott to get another pace option.

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It didn’t take Dan Christian long to make a mess of Adelaide’s attack.

Scott went for 22 from his second over, helping the dangerous Dan Christian get his eye in in the process.

Christian blasted the second-fastest 50 in BBL history from just 14 balls to break open a clash quickly heading south for the Sixers.

Following the Scott over, Christian launched wily spinner Rashid Khan for two sixes, then hit Wes Agar’s first three legitimate balls of the power surge for fours before holing out for an even half-century, helping the Sixers rack up 125 runs in the final 10 overs to set 5-177.

“The situation of the game (meant) I needed to play some shots,” Christian said.

Hot hand Christian removed the dangerous Phil Salt (28 from 16) in the chase, which was effectively ended when Carlos Brathwaite clean bowled Carey (9) with his first ball in the 11th over as Adelaide scored 7-139.

It was a tough night at the office for Alex Carey.

SUB-PAR SWAP

English spinner Danny Briggs will be wondering if he’s using the wrong deodorant after being subbed out of another BBL clash after bowling one over.

Briggs would have had James Vince stumped had keeper Carey not botched the take and fumble the stumping.

Come the drinks break Carey had seen enough and subbed the Englishman out for the second game in a row for Scott, who went for 28 from two overs and scored 10 (12).

WORRALL WORRIES

Strikers quick Daniel Worrall had the Sixers in all sorts early, beating the bat with a disciplined spell of length bowling.

Worrall used the new ball for four straight overs to start the match, with the Sixers unable to score from 18 of his 24 deliveries in a spell of 2-12.

The frustration of not scoring was best illustrated when in-form Josh Philippe, unable to score in front of the wicket, nicked a ramp straight shot to wicketkeeper Carey.

Jason Holder left quite an impression.

ACTION MAN

West Indian Jason Holder nearly created the most exclusive of clubs to hit a six and take a wicket with their first balls in the BBL.

In the Sixers’ innings, he effortlessly swung away his first ball in the competition for a huge six which bounced off the concrete and lodged in a tree.

Jake Weatherald slashed Holder’s first ball to point but it flew through the hands of Brathwaite. The friendship would have been further tested when Brathwaite’s error conceded a four off the final ball of Holder’s second over.

Originally published as BBL, Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers: Dan Christian, Ben Manenti inspire big win for men in pink