Matthew Short-led Adelaide Strikers ended their losing streak in style with the highest ever successful run chase in the history of Big Bash League (BBL). Short led from the front with unbeaten 100 as Strikers chased down the target of 230 with three balls to spare and seven wickets in hand at Adelaide Oval.
The previous highest successful run chase in BBL history belonged to Hobart Hurricanes. In the 2016-2017 season, Ben McDermott's 114-run knock helped Hurricanes stun Melbourne Renegades in a clash that went down to the wire.
Overall, this is the joint fifth-highest successful run chase in T20 encounters (including domestic T20, T20Is and franchise cricket). Bulgaria hold the record for highest successful run chase as they chased down 246 against Serbia in 2022. Among full-member nations, Australia chased down 245 against New Zealand in 2018. However, this is the highest successful run chase in franchise cricket.
Chasing 230 against Hobart Hurricanes, Strikers lost the wicket of opener Ryan Gibson early to Patrick Dooley. Chris Lynn walked out all guns blazing and targeted Pakistan pacer Faheem Ashraf. Short broke free in the final over of powerplay overs smashing Mitchell Owen for two sixes. Strikers gained momentum as the partnership between Lynn and Short dominated Hurricanes bowlers.
Dooley got the breakthrough in form of Lynn who scored 64 runs from just 29 deliveries featuring six fours and four sixes. Adam Hose struggled to get going as required run rate climbed up. Ashraf was targetted again as Hose smashed him for three sixes in the 17th over. Skipper Matthew Wade brought back Tim David in the slog overs and he delivered with the wicket of Hose. He scored 38 runs from 22 deliveries including one four and four sixes.
Strikers needed 12 off the final over and Ashraf was given the ball again. The Pakistan pacer struggled again and Short finished off the run chase in style with two consecutive boundaries. He also got to his maiden BBL ton. He struck eight fours and three sixes in his match-winning knock.
Earlier, half-centuries from openers McDermott (57), Caleb Jewell (54), Zak Crawley (54*) and cameo from David (39) helped Hurricanes post a massive total of 229/4.
