The Adelaide Strikers have fallen to a KFC BBL|13 four-wicket loss to the Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium on the back of a destructive knock from Renegades young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk.
A peerless choice for Player of the Match, McGurk plundered 70 runs from just 37 deliveries, highlighted by four huge sixes and five fours to successfully lead his side in pursuit of the Strikers total of 6-177.
Chris Lynn was the brightest light for the Strikers on a difficult evening, producing a vintage performance, including becoming the first player to his 200 BBL sixes during an electric innings of 56 from 34. In all, the tournament’s most prolific hitter struck four sixes to have the crowd ducking for cover as he built the foundation for the Strikers total of 6-177.
Remarkably, the next batter on the maximums list is Renegades stalwart Aaron Finch with 118, 82 less that Lynn at the top of the tree.
After the flip fell in their favour, the Strikers elected to bat first and D’Arcy Short played the anchor role at the top of the innings after seeing his skipper fall early, hitting five fours and a six to raise the bat in recognition of a hard-fought half-century.
With key moments in each game already, English international Jamie Overton again showed his worth, smashing an unbeaten 29 in the back end at a strike-rate of almost 200, supported by Harry Nielsen who made the most of just five deliveries faced to the tune of 17*.
Following the break, left-arm quick David Payne resumed opening bowler duties and had the Strikers up and about immediately thanks to a diving catch to Nielsen down the leg-side that saw superstar Quinton de Kock dismissed for golden duck.
Fraser-McGurk then joined Joe Clarke and within the blink of an eye the pair had added 46 from just 22 deliveries, highlighted by seven boundaries. It ended there for Clarke however, with the English international retiring hurt and limping from the ground, replaced by veteran Shaun Marsh.
It was all the Renegades from that point as McGurk reprised memories of his record-breaking century for South Australia in the One Day Cup earlier this summer, sending the ball to all parts and bringing up a half-century from just 22 deliveries.
Keeping the crowd busy throughout, McGurk was eventually dismissed by James Bazley for 70, coming at a strike-rate of 189, a performance that kept the Renegades season alive and handed the Strikers a second loss of the tournament.
Marsh combined with the middle order to reel in the remaining runs, bringing up his own half-century from 29 balls as the Renegades brought up the required runs with four wickets and eight balls to spare.
The Strikers now head back to Adelaide ahead of the biggest domestic match in the world, the iconic New Year’s Eve clash at Adelaide Oval. The Melbourne Stars will be in town for the game and tickets are limited so make sure you get your seat at the biggest party in Adelaide now by clicking here.