Right then! That is it from the coverage of this clash but do not go anywhere as game number 53 of the Big Bash League 2021-22 is underway! It is Perth Scorchers who are taking on Brisbane Heat at Melbourne. So please switch tabs and enjoy the coverage of that game! Cheers!
Ian Cockbain is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He mentions that it was nice to get the middle of the blade. He adds that he was playing club cricket in Melbourne and things started to fall in place from there. He adds that it has been overwhelming to get four wins on the trot and they have got momentum now into the Finals. He states that he is still learning as a 34-year-old and has watched this tournament and learned from it over the years.
Sydney Sixers' bowlers had their task cut out as they did not have enough runs on the board on a wicket which looked quite good to bat on. They were denied early breakthroughs and were put under pressure by Strikers' openers. Dwarshuis did get rid of Hunt but the Sixers failed to get wickets at regular intervals which cost them. Their spinner, Todd Murphy was the only bowler who managed to trouble the batters but he too went wicketless. The other bowlers were taken to cleaners and they had no answers to Cockbain's onslaught at the end.
The Strikers have chased down the total with ease and this has been a rather one-sided contest. Matthew Renshaw set the tone upfront and he got his team off to a flier. He smashed a fifty of just 30 balls before perishing and it was Ian Cockbain who came out to bat at number 3 and smashed Sixers' bowlers to all parts of the ground. Renshaw and Cockbain never let the bowlers settle in and made sure that they find boundaries regularly. Wells also played a handy knock in the end and played the supporting role in this chase.
What a chase this has been from the Strikers! They have now won four games in a row and are looking like a team to beat in the competition. The Sixers would be disappointed as they were put under pressure right from the word go and have failed to defend their total. Including a spinner in their squad for this game could have probably helped their cause.
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
165/2 (17.3)
71* (42)
50 (31)
1/37 (3)
1/37 (4)
Over 18
0
0
4
Jonathan Wells*
27 (23)
Ian Cockbain
71 (42)
Dan Christian
0/14 (1.3)
STR
165/2
4
17.3
Dan Christian to Jonathan Wells ,FOUR! Jonathan Wells finds the gap this time and this has been a superb batting performance from them. Back of a length, outside off. Jonathan Wells rocks back and cuts it through point for a boundary. Adelaide Strikers have delivered a clinical performance here. They win by 8 wickets!
0
17.2
Dan Christian to Jonathan Wells ,Three dot balls! A length ball, on off. Wells pushes it with soft hands towards the off side and wants a single but is sent back.
0
17.1
Dan Christian to Jonathan Wells ,A fuller delivery on off. Wells drives it crisply to covers.
Over 17
1
1
1
1
6
0
Ian Cockbain*
71 (42)
Jonathan Wells
23 (20)
Hayden Kerr
1/37 (4)
STR
161/2
0
16.6
Hayden Kerr to Ian Cockbain ,Back of a length, around off. Ian Cockbain chops it to cover-point. Dot ball and Wells has a chance now to hit the winning run.
6
16.5
Hayden Kerr to Ian Cockbain ,SIX! Scores are level now! What a shot! Ian Cockbain ha played a fine innings here! A shorter length delivery on off. Ian Cockbain stays deep in his crease and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.
1
16.4
Hayden Kerr to Jonathan Wells ,Shorter length around leg. Wells pulls it to backward square leg for a single.
1
16.3
Hayden Kerr to Ian Cockbain ,This is slightly shorter on off. Ian Cockbain mistimes the pull to mid off for a single.
1
16.2
Hayden Kerr to Jonathan Wells ,Angling into middle this time from 'round the wicket. Wells works it to mid-wicket for a single.
1
16.1
Hayden Kerr to Ian Cockbain ,Shorter delivery on off. Ian Cockbain pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Over 16
1
0
0
1
1
1
Ian Cockbain*
63 (38)
Jonathan Wells
21 (18)
Todd Murphy
0/22 (4)
STR
151/2
1
15.6
Todd Murphy to Ian Cockbain ,A single to end the over! Just 11 needed now from 24 balls. A fuller delivery on middle. Ian Cockbain eases it to long on for a single.
1
15.5
Todd Murphy to Jonathan Wells ,Slightly shorter outside off. Wells punches this off the back foot to sweeper cover for a single.