A whirlwind Jake Weatherald innings has kept the Adelaide Strikers’ season alive, with his 80* off only 32 balls securing them an eight-wicket win in their must-win clash against the Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Striking at 250, Weatherald hit a massive six to bring up the winning runs in Hobart, having chased the 167 runs required with four overs remaining.
Earlier at Blundstone Arena, captain Matt Short won the flip and elected to bowl first for the fourth straight match, with the captain himself ensuring a good start to the innings, conceding just one run off the opening over.
Both Hobart openers didn’t make it through the Power Play, with Henry Thornton forcing Ben McDermott to chop on with his opening ball of the match, while Jamie Overton got Matthew Wade caught behind in the fourth over.
Many overs of spin were bowled in the middle overs of the innings, ensuring a slow run rate and at drinks, the Hurricanes were 2-68.
The next few overs belonged to Cameron Boyce, with the wrist spinner taking two wickets in as many overs.
First, sharp work behind the stumps by Harry Nielsen gave Boyce his first wicket of Mac Wright, before Caleb Jewell was caught in the deep his following over.
As he has been throughout the entire BBL|13 tournament, Boyce was incredibly economical, finishing his four overs with figures of 2-17.
Two wickets also fell in the Surge, with Overton and Thornton each getting their second wicket.
At the end of the 20 overs, the Hurricanes reached 6-167, leaving the Strikers 168 runs to chase.
It’s become the norm in BBL|13 and yet again the Shorts got the Strikers off to a great start in the Power Play, their partnership reaching 57 before D’Arcy was caught for 20.
That brought Weatherald to the crease, only in the side due to a Chris Lynn hamstring strain sidelined the usual number three, and it didn’t take long for him to have an impact.
He took the ninth over for 20 runs, hitting four big boundaries and he quickly brought up his half-century.
With Matt Short removed for 39, Adam Hose came to the crease and played a great supporting role to Weatherald, continually getting him on strike as he went on to hit nine fours and five sixes.
The two had the highest third-wicket partnership for the third wicket in Strikers history, as a Weatherald six sealed the win and broke the Strikers streak of nine consecutive away losses.
The win took the Strikers inside the top four on the BBL|13 ladder.
Now, the Strikers will fly to Canberra for their final match of the minor round, where they will take on the Sydney Thunder in yet another must-win clash.
First ball will be at 6:45pm ACDT, with the match broadcast live on Channel 7 Adelaide, Kayo Sports and Foxtel.