Match 36, Adelaide, January 11, 2021, 01:45 PM
149/7(20.0ov)
150/5(19.0ov)
Adelaide Strikers beat Melbourne Stars by 5 wickets
That's all from this game! Adelaide Strikers move up to third with the win while Melbourne Stars lose another game but they earned the Bash Boost point. On Tuesday, 12th January 2021, Perth Scorchers go up against Hobart Hurricanes in match number 37. That match will begin at 1615 local (0815 GMT). Join us for that. Until then, cheers and take care.
Wes Agar, the MAN OF THE MATCH, believes simplicity in his game is what works for him. Wes says they are playing their roles and it was a big win for them as they are working hard. Agar says that he tends not to look at matchups as he believes if he does so then it will mean they are ahead of him. Says they will miss Rashid Khan and adds that he told him that he is gutted to lose him but wishes him best of luck. Tells he is happy not to bat and adds Rashid has given him one of his bats.
Earlier in the day, The Adelaide Strikers did well to reduce the Stars to just 149 on a good batting wicket. All the bowlers bowled well, barring Danny Briggs. Wes Agar though was the star as he was economical and picked up two wickets as well. Rashid Khan, playing his final game of the season, was brilliant again. Only two people were on show for the Stars with the bat, Marcus Stoinis and Nic Maddinson. Stoinis played a fine innings of 47 but it was Maddinson's 48 that gave them a respectable score but it was not enough in the end as they were defeated by 5 wickets.
The bowling from Stars was not that bad but one might feel that the target was a little low to defend. They started off well, taking an early wicket and then took wickets at regular intervals but it was not enough. The star with the ball was Adam Zampa who bowled his heart out to pick up two wickets but that went in vain. Haris Rauf did not have a good game while Hatcher too was expensive. Glenn Maxwell bowled well but they needed a few more runs on the board to defend.
The Strikers did not start off too well in their run chase. They lost Matt Renshaw early in the innings but then Alex Carey and Philip Salt steadied the ship with a decent stand but both fell in quick succession and that put Strikers in some trouble. But Jonathan Wells, Jake Weatherald and Ryan Gibson made sure that they don't lose the game. Jake Weatherald fell to a poor shot but Wells continued and took Rauf apart in the 18th over. He fell in the same over and that must have given some nerves in the dugout but Gibson made sure that he stayed till the end to take the side home.
A comprehensive win for Adelaide Strikers in the end. There were some nerves in the middle overs and towards the end but the Strikers prove too hot to handle for the Stars. They send off Rashid Khan in a perfect manner and they move up to the third spot on the points table. A pleasing performance from the Strikers.
In over# 1
2
4
1wd
1
1
1
2
Liam Hatcher 41/0(4)
18.6
2
IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Adelaide Strikers win in a dramatic way. Full on off, Gibson looks to go over extra cover. He does not time it well. The ball goes high in the air. The fielder at cover runs behind and gets under the ball. The ball though goes right between his hands and body. The batters take two. ADELAIDE STRIKERS WIN BY 5 WICKETS!
18.5
4
FOUR! Full toss and put away in the gap! It is on off, Gibson hits it over mid-wicket and in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary. This should seal the game for Strikers. 2 needed in 7.
18.5
1wd
WIDE! Bowls a wide yorker outside off. It is too wide for the umpire's liking. It is on the wrong side of the blue tramline. Gibson looks to jam it out but misses.
18.4
1
Good length ball on off, Rashid pulls it to long on as he does not connect well. Another run taken. 7 needed off 8.
18.3
1
On the pads, Gibson flicks it towards mid-wicket for one. Singles will do for Adelaide Strikers.
18.2
1
Very full on off, Rashid sweeps it in front of square on the leg side for one.
18.1
2
Full outside off, Rashid swings. It takes the bottom edge of his bat and goes away from Rauf at third man. The Pakistan pacer does well to recover. Two taken.
Liam Hatcher back on.
In over# 1
4
0W
6
0
4
4
Haris Rauf 33/1(3)
17.6
4
EDGED AND FOUR! 18 off the over. Just 12 needed in 12 now. Strikers game to lose. Good length ball on off, Gibson swings but gets a thick outside edge. It goes away and over of short third man and to the fence.
Rashid Khan makes his way out to the middle.
17.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Brilliant catch from Nick Larkin and this game has once again turned around. Fullish ball around off, Rauf smartly takes pace off the ball. Wells plays a half-hearted shot and ends up chipping it in the air. It seems to be dropping on its way towards sweeper cover. Nick Larkin though charges forward and then dives in front to take a tremendous catch. 16 needed in 13.
17.4
6
SIX! Wells goes for the big one and gets it. He has changed the complexion of this game. Full on middle, Wells clears his front leg and this time goes over in front of square. He hits it right off the middle and the ball has enough to see it go over the fence.