The Adelaide Strikers have lost a final over thriller at Adelaide Oval against the Sydney Sixers.
The visitors won the bat flip and sent the Strikers into bat. Matt Short (4), D’Arcy Short (10), and Alex Carey (18) all fell early, each attempting to find the quick start they had enjoyed against the Heat. However, the Sixers worked to upset any comfort, as the seam heavy attack swung the ball and found a length that jammed up the top order. The spinners reaped the rewards, with Murphy (2-2) collecting 2 wickets in an over.
Ross (48) and Pope (57) showed their class as they steady the collapse and themselves becoming the architects of how the innings would eventually pan out. The pair wrestled control prior to the drinks break but waited until the power surge to pounce. The 31 scored from the 2 overs proved important, as the hosts pummelled 119 from the final 10 overs, led by the middle order partnership, and an explosive cameo by Overton (32*).
With a score of 182 on the board, it was up to the Strikers bowlers to capitalise with the new ball.
Steve Smith (52) was classy in the power play, as he and Jack Edwards looked to build a strong partnership after losing the early wicket of Phillipe. But that was partnership was broken thanks to a brilliant piece of fielding from Brendan Doggett, throwing down the stumps from long on to remove Edwards.
Smith was undisturbed by the removal of his partner, batting on past 50 as Henriques (15) proved a steady hand. At the moment where the game seemed to be drifting away from the Strikers, Jamie Overton took 2 wickets in an over, dismissing Smith and Silk (3), to keep the match alive.
Dwarshuis (30) and Shaw (32) launched the Sixers in the power surge to revitalise their innings, as Abbott (7*) and Kerr (18*) chased the runs down with a ball to spare.
Adelaide Strikers will next play at Optus Stadium on Saturday 18 January.