The Adelaide Strikers have beaten the Brisbane Heat in a record-breaking night at Adelaide Oval.
Led by a Matt Short (109) masterclass, the hosts registered their highest-ever BBL total, with great contributions from Lynn (47), Ross (44*), and D’Arcy Short (16*). A return from injury did little to hamper the efforts of the opener, who slammed the ball to all parts of the ground to secure his second BBL hundred.
The enormity of the batting performance was found within the records that fell. The Adelaide Strikers rewrote the history books as they blasted their way to their best ever power play (62 runs), most ever runs after 10 overs (134), and their fastest ever century (49 deliveries).
The Strikers finished on 251, their second-largest total in BBL history.
The Heat’s innings was one of gumption and ambition, one where the very audacity to attempt such a chase was enough to put pressure upon a fresh Adelaide Strikers bowling line-up. The Heat batted with a rare freedom, often clearing the front foot and swinging through the line. The sight of Michael Neser opening the batting showed that the visitors were refusing to lie down and accept the match over.
McSweeney (43), Wood (29) and Renshaw (34), all played a hand in keeping the game alive. However, in the end the runs proved just too many for the visitors to chase, with the Heat all out in the final over. D’Arcy Short, in his 100th BBL appearance, locked the innings down with a superb 4-15.
The Strikers next play at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday 15 January against the Sydney Sixers.