Strikers spank Sixers in big BBL win

Steve Barrett | December 14, 2022

Matt Short believes he was fortunate to survive the BBL’s historic first-ever DRS challenge, before making the most of his second life to spearhead the Adelaide Strikers to an emphatic 51-run trouncing of the Sydney Sixers at Adelaide Oval.

Batting first, the Strikers plummeted temporarily to 2-2 on Wednesday when Short, on one, was adjudged lbw to Sean Abbott by umpire Bruce Oxenford.

Short was ready to walk before batting partner Chris Lynn urged him to review the decision.

Television replays confirmed the ball was missing and Short went on to stroke a classy 84, masterminding the Strikers’ imposing 6-184, before Henry Thornton’s career-best 4-20 helped limit the Sixers to a paltry 7-133 in reply.

“I was probably thinking it was going to hit or at least umpire’s call,” Short admitted.

“It was good to have Lynny down the other end – he said, ‘go for it’.

“Even with the replays I thought it was maybe hitting the stumps.

“Lucky to get away with that one.”

Long-time former Brisbane Heat captain Lynn (41) and swashbuckling England import Adam Hose (40) both impressed for their new side, providing wonderful support for Short.

Sean Abbott (3-37) and 19-year-old Afghan mystery spinner Izarulhaq Naveed (2-25) were the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers.

Thornton and legspinning wizard Rashid Khan (3-21) then starred with the ball for the Strikers who exacted some retribution for last season’s Challenger Final between the two sides at the SCG, which the Sixers won in a last-ball heart-stopper to advance to the decider.

Jordan Silk (36) top-scored for the Sixers, whose lacklustre reply spluttered early and never recovered.

Introduced in the third over, Thornton struck twice in his first three balls, dismissing dangerous duo Kurtis Patterson (9) and James Vince (0).

Josh Philippe (26) and captain Moises Henriques (24) both fell victim to Rashid wrong ‘uns as the Strikers’ grip on the contest tightened.

With the asking rate escalating out of control, the Sixers were aiming to match the home side’s 30-run haul when they took the two-over power surge but could muster just six runs, corralled by the Strikers’ two greatest bowlers, Rashid and Peter Siddle.

Thornton returned to the attack near the death and skittled Dan Christian and Sean Abbott.