‘Unbelievable’: Matt Short makes BBL run scoring history in utter annihilation

Adelaide Strikers captain Matt Short is bashing down the door for higher honours after he made history with his sixth 50 of the BBL season.

Adelaide Strikers captain Matt Short has made BBL history, becoming the highest run scorer in a 10-match BBL regular season in his side’s nine-wicket thrashing of the Sydney Thunder.

The Thunder appear destined for the wooden spoon after losing 6/33 as cult hero legspinner Lloyd Pope took three wickets four balls in the 19th over.

It saw the Thunder bowled out for 140, which the Strikers chased with ease, cruising to the total with 23 balls remaining.

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Short was 74 not out off 49 balls, while Jake Weatherald finished 47 not out off 31 balls.

But it continues a phenomenal season for Short, who has hit 509 runs at an average of 72.71 so far in the tournament with six half centuries.

The previous record for the regular season was held by now opening teammate D’Arcy Short, who had 504 runs in the 2017/18 season.

However, a 68 in the Big Bash Final took his tally to 572 runs for the season from 11 innings.

Matthew Short is a superstar. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The win saw the Strikers make the finals, which will give Matt Short the chance to surpass his teammate’s overall tally.

While the all-time record of 705 runs by Marcus Stoinis in 2019/20 is safe, due mainly to the fact there are four less matches this season, Short has put himself firming in the frame to add to his two ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia.

“The proudest thing is that I’ve been scoring at most venues, rather than just the beautiful Adelaide Oval,” Short said of the record on Fox Cricket.

“You come to some slower wickets and slower outfields here (at Manuka Oval) and score some runs, that’s probably what I’m most proud of.”

Short was exceptional, launching two sixes onto the roof and another into the roof in a destructive display of hitting.

Surely Matt Short is looked at for higher honours in white ball cricket. Last few seasons have been fantastic

— Greg Malone (@Bugsy_GM) January 14, 2024

Matt Short has been the most exciting player at the #BBL13. The consistency in hitting sixes and fours every match is just incredible. If he can bring even half of this form to the IPL, it would mean crazy entertainment.

— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) January 14, 2024

Matt Short has to be one of the most improved batters we have seen over past 4-5 years. Unbelievable how clean he hits the pill… #BBL13

— Jed Wilson (@Bombernorm9) January 14, 2024

#BBL13
MY BRAIN : Don’t say it, he’s not really South Australian
Don’t say it, he’s not really South Australian
Don’t say it, he’s not really South Australian
Don’t say it, he’s not really South Australian
ME : If Matt Short isn’t the new Aus Opener, it’s clear anti-Adelaide bias

— Heath (@LeastHesFunny_) January 14, 2024

Lloyd Pope is back. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

While the batters were spectacular, the win was set up by a dominant performance from the Strikers’ bowlers.

Cult hero Lloyd Pope was the other star of the game, narrowly missing out on taking the 11th hat-trick in BBL history but claiming career-best figures of 4/22.

Having claimed three wickets in his first three games of the season, Pope matched that in the space of four deliveries as he knocked over Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew and Liam Hatcher in the penultimate over.

Jamie Overton continued his brilliant season with 3/26 as the Thunder were bowled out in the 20th over when Tanveer Sangha was run out without facing a ball.

The Strikers’ win ends the Melbourne Stars’ season, who need the Thunder to win to have any hope of making finals.

With Martin Gabor, NCA Newswire