The 10th match of the Big Bash League that was played between Adelaide and Melbourne Stars produced an interesting match, with a target of 156 set by the Adelaide Strikers, and a fierce chase by the Melbourne Stars.
Adelaide Strikers Innings
The start for Strikers was shaky as they were asked to bat first. The power play 1 (overs 0.1–4.0) saw scored 32 runs with two wickets down, which put some pressure on their batsmen from the Stars bowlers. Even after the shaky start, Strikers reached 50 with 6.5 overs and extras contributed seven to their tally.
There was a brief revival thanks to 50 runs for the third wicket between Matthew Short and Liam Scott, which came off only 34 balls. Matthew Short batted positively, and Liam Scott was solid support to him. But again, the momentum went down as Andre Fletcher Ross was out after the Stars successfully reviewed an LBW in the 10th over.
At the drinks break, the Strikers were only 83-3 after 10 overs, which were being kept intact by Short. However, he continued to play the best knock of the innings, scoring an exquisite half-century (50 off 38 deliveries) that consisted of four boundaries.
The Strikers broke the 100-run barrier in 11.6 overs but struggled in the middle and death overs. In the second powerplay between overs 15.1 and 17.0, the Strikers were only able to score 16 runs while sacrificing two wickets, thus halting their momentum. Although the Strikers reached 150 in 19.2 overs, the wickets hindered a good finish.
The score was 155/8 in 20 overs, and Henry Thornton scored 12 and Hasan Ali scored 6 in the last overs.
Melbourne Stars Innings
However, in response, the Melbourne Stars came all guns blazing. The opening power play saw the Stars hit 52 runs without losing any wickets, exerting pressure on the bowlers of the Strikers. The Stars attained an innings total of 50 runs in only 3.5 overs, with eight extra runs added to make it even quicker.
The first wicket fell after a strong opening partnership, and the Stars were already well in control at that point. Sam Harper was instrumental at the top, scoring an elegant 50 off just 35 deliveries, hitting five fours and two sixes.
During the drinks break, the Stars were in a favorable position at 90/2 in 9.5 overs. They further expanded and reached the milestone of 100 in 11.5 overs. The second powerplay session was also in their favor as they scored 21 and lost one wicket.
The Stars ended up scoring 150 in just 17.1 overs, well above the required rate of play and setting them on a winning trajectory.
Match Summary The efforts that added some solidity to the Adelaide Strikers’ innings were provided by Matthew Short's fifty, but regular wickets meant that they were unable to pile up a big score. The other side, the Melbourne Stars, who started their innings aggressively and amassed a solid score in the middle order, had a clear upper hand over their opponents.