Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder Archives

Melbourne Stars routed for record-low 29 in WBBL

Melbourne Stars side boasting Australia skipper Meg Lanning and several England internationals was bundled out for just 29 runs against Adelaide Strikers in the fourth match of WBBL 2023, recording the lowest score in the women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) history.

The previous low in the Twenty20 competition’s eight seasons was the 66 posted by both Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes in 2017.

Chasing Adelaide Strikers’ 177, Melbourne Stars’ innings lasted just 57 legal deliveries. No batter from the Stars managed to reach double figures against rampant defending WBBL champions, who won by a crushing 148 runs.

“Everyone kept saying ‘this is ridiculous, what’s happening’,” said Strikers skipper Tahlia McGrath after the game on Saturday evening at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.

“It’s still a little bit hard to process.”

Along with Lanning, the Stars’ top order featured fellow Australian Annabel Sutherland, plus England-capped trio Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier.

Megan Schutt and Amanda-Jade Wellington both grabbed three wickets each with Zimbabwe leg-spinner Anesu Mushangwe taking two.

Melbourne Stars’ skipper Meg Lanning invited the Strikers to bat first, but the decision backfired as Katie Mack and Laura Wolvaardt raised 135 runs for the first wicket.

Both openers were then dismissed in the same over by Sophie Day.

Wolvaardt departed after scoring 47 off 36, while Katie Mack, who scored 86 off 50, got out stumped two balls later.

Sophie Day claimed another wicket to finish with figures of 3-24 in her four overs.

However, Adelaide Strikers managed to post 177 on board despite Day’s performance.

The two teams will square off again in the eighth match of WBBL on October 24 in Melbourne.

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Strikers thump Thunder, advance to the BBL Challenger

MELBOURNE: In the knock-out match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL), Adelaide Strikers sealed a thrilling victory over Sydney Thunder by six runs, and advanced to BBL Challenger.

Strikers’ bowler – Harry Conway held his nerve calm to defend 14 runs in the final over; leaking only seven runs and picking two wickets to knock Thunder out of the title hunt.

Set to chase 185, the Thunder had a poor start to their innings; losing their first wicket for a mere 15. Alex Ross and Jason Sangha, however, anchored the innings with their half-centuries when the side was two down for 56 in the seventh over.

Ross scored 56 off 39 deliveries including four boundaries and a six before falling short to Conway. Sangha, on the other hand, held on for a little long and top-scored with his magnificent 61 off just 43 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and a six.

The duo appeared in top-notch but could not guide their side to the victory, while the rest of the Thunder batter failed to contribute significantly, resulting in the side losing the match by six runs in the end.

For the Strikers, Conway and Peter Siddle bagged two wickets each, while Matthew Short, Henry Thornton struck out a batter each.

Batting first, the Strikers managed to post a commendable total of 184/6 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the astonishing knock of Ian Cockbain, who top-scored for the side with his quickfire 65 off just 38 balls; smashing six boundaries and three sixes.

Short too, was impressive as the right-handed batter chipped in up the order to provide a solid foundation to the side. The 26-years-old scored a sensible 39 off 28 deliveries, laced with two boundaries and as many sixes.

With the valuable contribution from the rest of the Strikers batters, the side finished at 184/6 in 20 overs.

For Thunder, Gurinder Sandhu and Tanveer Sangha claimed two wickets each, while Jason Sangha and Nathan McAndrew struck out a batter each.

Following this victory, the Strikers have advanced to the Challenger of the BBL and will lock horns with Sydney Sixers for the final spot.

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Sangha goes hard as Thunder defeat Strikers in BBL

ADELAIDE: Sydney Thunder’s Jason Sangha played a blinder before the bowlers surrounded the Adelaide Strikers’ batting line-up; defeating the home side by 22 runs, on Friday.

Set to chase 188, in the 28th match of the ongoing tournament, the Strikers could only score 165 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs; losing their sixth match of the season.

The Strikers had an average start to their run-chase; losing their first wicket for just 23 runs. Matthew Short was the batter, who dismissed after scoring 16. Jake Weatherald and Matt Renshaw then partnered strongly; adding 73 runs for the second wicket. The home side appeared to be in a comfortable position before Renshaw dismissed after scoring a quick 38. He faced just 26 balls and smacked five boundaries.

Following his dismissal, Weatherald was too soon dismissed after scoring 31(29). Following their departure, the Strikers ran into a collapse; slipping from 91/1 to 162/7. Jonathan Wells, who was fighting hard, also became a victim of the match-defining collapse. He top-scored with his 46; facing 26 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six.

For the Thunder, Daniel Sams starred; picking four wickets for 33, while Saqib Mahmood bagged two. Sangha, on the other hand, claimed one wicket.

Batting first, the Thunder started the proceedings decently, with their openers providing an important 37-runs opening stand. Matthew Gikes scored 13 before falling victim to Fawad Ahmed’s brilliant delivery.

Ben Cutting then joined Sangha and recorded a brief partnership of 25-runs, before Cutting fell short. He scored 37 off 32 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes.

The wicket-keeper batter – Sam Billings could not stay for long as well, as he departed after scoring 18(11). Following his dismissal, the Strikers slipped to 98/3 in the 14th over.

Sangha then launched an onslaught against the Strikers’ bowlers. The batter smoked six boundaries and as many sixes for his fiery 91; facing just 55 balls. Oliver Davies, too, was also handy at the death; scoring a quickfire 26 off just 12. He smoked one boundary and two sixes.

With the late heroics from the duo, the Thunder finished with 187/3 in the allotted 20 overs.

Following this victory, the Thunder have claimed the fourth position on the points table, while the Strikers remained the seventh.

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