Adelaide Strikers defeated Sydney Sixers by 51 runs in their Big Bash League (BBL) season opener on Wednesday, thanks to top knocks from Matthew Short and Chris Lynn, as well as fiery spells from Henry Thornton and Rashid Khan. Adelaide Strikers lead the BBL points table with two points. Thornton delivered a double blow to the Sixers while chasing 185, dismissing Kurtis Patterson (9) and James Vince (0).
Adelaide Strikers Beat Sydney Sixers by 51 runs in Big Bash
Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques then rebuilt the innings, scoring 43 runs in a row. The sixers were 24/2 on the mandatory powerplay from the first over to the fourth. Philippe’s stumps were removed by star spinner Rashid when he was on 26 off 23 balls. The Sixers led the game 54-3. Rashid soon got his second wicket of the game, dismissing Henriques for 24. In 12.1 overs, the Sixers were 72/4.
Jordan Silk attempted to keep the other end steady and increase the run rate, but Rashid got his third wicket, sending Silk back for 36 off 25 balls. Half of the Sixers’ batting lineup was dismissed for 109 runs in 16.3 overs.
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The Sixers failed to match the total, falling 51 runs short. After 20 overs, they were 133/7, with Hayden Kerr (13*) and Ben Dwarshuis (3*) unbeaten. Thornton (4/20) and Rashid (3/21) were impressive with the ball and did not allow big partnerships to form, allowing the Strikers to start their season with a win. Adelaide Strikers scored 184/6 in 20 overs after opting to bat first.
Matthew Short hit 84 off 53 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes.
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Chris Lynn (41 off 34 balls) and Adam Hose (40 off 22 balls) also contributed to the Strikers reaching a competitive total. Pacer Sean Abbott (3/37) was the Sixers’ best bowler, with Izharulhaq Naveed (2/25), Steve O’Keefe (1/27) also contributing. Short’s half-century earned him the title of ‘Man of the Match.