Jonathan Wells and Henry Thornton guided Adelaide Strikers to victory over a disappointing Melbourne Stars outfit by a margin of 23 runs in the Big Bash League match at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday (January 15). With this win Strikers moved up to the fourth position and keep their hopes alive for the next round of the competition.
Put in to bat by the Stars, the Strikers made 155/6 in their stipulated 20 overs, with Wells smashing 73 from 49 balls including six fours and a six. Matt Short blasted 33 from 22 balls including five fours and a six, before he skied one off Clint Hinchliffe who snapped up the caught and bowled. Ian Cockbain made a run-a-ball 17 before he was dismissed by Hinchcliffe.
Matt Renshaw was firstbatter out for the Strikers for two after he chopped on a ball from Sam Rainbird in the third over. Jake Weatherald struggled his way to a 23-ball 17 before being dismissed by Rainbird. Ahmad Daniyal then dismissed Thomas Kelly for five.
The Melbourne Stars made 132/8 in reply to the Strikers’ 155, with Thornton taking 26/4. Glenn Maxwell was first man out for the Stars bowled by Henry Thornton for 16 after smashing two early sixes. Joe Clarke was next to go after he chopped on a ball from spinner Matt Short to be bowled for 9 from 11 balls.
Hilton Cartwright smashed two fours and three sixes on his way to 49 before falling short of his half century when he was caught by Short to give Thornton his third scalp of the day. Thornton finished with figures of 26/4 after he picked Rainbird on the final ball of his spell.
Returning Australian star Marcus Stoinis looked underdone as he was caught by Matt Short off Fawad Ahmed for just one after limited playing time this season. Joe Burns struggled with his strike rate on his way to 25 off 26 balls before he was bowled by Peter Siddle.
The Strikers now moved to the fourth place and are a point ahead of Hobart Hurricanes while the Stars remained in sixth place with the Brisbane Heat placed seventh. Perth Scorchers are at the top position with 38 points and following them are the Sydney thunder with 31 points.
