‘BBL is back’: Big Bash in disbelief over highest run chase ever

The Adelaide Strikers have pulled off the unthinkable in one of the greatest BBL matches of all time, despite a hint of controversy.

Andrew McMurtry

@AndrewMcMurtry

2 min read

January 6, 2023 - 6:12AM

Matt Short just lived the dream. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

The Adelaide Strikers have pulled off the biggest chase in BBL history, chasing down what was the fourth highest score in the competition’s history.

The Hurricanes smashed 4/229 on the back of a 30-ball 57 for Ben McDermott, Caleb Jewell’s 25-ball 54 and Zak Crawley’s blistering 28-ball 54 not out in his first game of the season.

Watch BBL12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But while the highest previous chase was the Hurricanes 8/223 in 2017, the Strikers rewrote the history books.

A 29-ball 64 was a slice of Lynnsanity from Chris Lynn but he was overshadowed by opener Matt Short, who brought up his 100 off 59 balls with the match winning four.

Even more remarkably there were still three balls remaining.

The 459 combined runs also make it the highest scoring match in the history of the BBL.

“It’s unreal to chase that down,” Short told Fox Cricket after the match. “We were pretty flat in the rooms at halftime. But it was nice to go out with a bit of freedom and have a bit of fun.”

Matt Short just lived the dream. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

Short was also the captain of the team for the first time after Peter Siddle was ruled out with a lower-back injury.

It was also a tough night for the Hurricanes’ Pakistani import Faheem Ashraf, who finished with the equal third worst figures in a BBL match — going for 0/61 in his 3.3 overs. For the record, the worst figures are Liam Guthrie’s 2/70 for the Heat from BBL11.

Ashraf had a night to forget when in the 17th over as the Hurricanes still needed 50 off 21 balls he had Adam Hose caught for 20 — only for it to be deemed a controversial waist-high no ball.

In the commentary box, Mark Waugh believed it wasn’t above Hose waistline in his original stance, while Brad Haddin said he thought it was a no ball.

The umpires sided with Haddin as the call came through and Hose hit the corresponding free hit for six over cover.

“What a potential game turner — the non-wicket, the extra ball, the extra run,” Dan Ginnane said in commentary on Fox Cricket.

Waugh said: “It had another metre to go before it gets to where he was in his stance. I think they’re a bit stiff there the Hurricanes personally.”

The ball in question. Photo: Fox Sports

Matthew Wade was furious. Photo: Fox Sports

Fans were stunned by the incredible performance and incredible match in front of a brilliant crowd in Adelaide.

Footballer Rocky Visconte tweeted: “What a Game, best big bash game iv seen. Up the @StrikersBBL.”

The Roar’s Brett McKay wrote: “Quite unbelievable game, both sides making record BBL scores, the Strikers with a record run-chase!”

Cricket.com.au commentator Adam White posted: “I’m pleased for Matt Short. His white ball form all season has been outstanding. So he thoroughly deserves that breakthrough white ball hundred in such incredible circumstances”.

Newscorp's Tim Michell commented: “I’m telling ya, the BBL is back”.