Adelaide Oval played host to a spectacular high-scoring encounter in Match 31 of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25, where Adelaide Strikers defeated Brisbane Heat by a commanding margin of 56 runs. Matthew Short’s scintillating century and D’Arcy Short’s game-changing spell were the highlights of an action-packed match.
Adelaide Strikers’ power-packed innings
Brisbane Heat’s decision to bowl first backfired spectacularly as the Strikers amassed a mammoth total of 251/5 in their 20 overs. Matthew Short was the star of the innings, smashing a breathtaking 109 off 54 balls, studded with 10 fours and 7 towering sixes. Short combined timing and power to dominate the Heat’s bowlers, leaving the opposition helpless.
Chris Lynn set the tone early with a blistering 47 off just 20 balls, hammering 5 fours and 3 sixes. Alex Ross played a pivotal role in the latter stages, scoring 44 off 19 deliveries with 5 fours and 2 sixes to ensure the Strikers crossed the 250-mark.
Brisbane Heat’s bowlers struggled to find their rhythm on a batting-friendly surface. Matthew Kuhnemann was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/50, while Mitchell Swepson claimed 2 wickets but conceded 41 runs. The rest of the attack, including Michael Neser and Xavier Bartlett, leaked runs at an alarming rate.
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Brisbane Heat’s chase falls short
Chasing an imposing target of 252, Brisbane Heat’s batsmen showed flashes of brilliance but failed to mount a sustained challenge. Nathan McSweeney top-scored with an entertaining 43 off 24 balls, supported by Matt Renshaw’s quickfire 34 off 16 deliveries. Lower down the order, Spencer Johnson struck a valiant 27 off 13 balls, but the Heat were eventually bowled out for 195 in 20 overs.
D’Arcy Short was the Strikers’ hero with the ball, delivering a remarkable spell of 4/15 in his 3 overs, dismantling the Heat’s middle order. Lloyd Pope (2/44) and Liam Haskett (2/43) provided crucial breakthroughs, while Jordan Buckingham chipped in with a wicket. The Strikers’ bowlers executed their plans effectively, never allowing the Heat to gain momentum.
Adelaide Strikers won by 56 runs
Scorecard: https://t.co/KD274tJhVb#cricket #ASvBH #BBL14 #T20 pic.twitter.com/ve7dl5yYFP
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 11, 2025
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