9:45pm Right. That will be a wrap from us. It all ended rather quickly, with Matthew Short and Lynn taking matters into their own hands. If they can keep firing and if the bowlers can bowl as well as they did today, the Strikers will feel they still have a shot at qualifying.
Tomorrow, the Stars, who have won four on the bounce, will be in action against the Sydney Sixers in what promises to be another thrilling encounter. Do join us for that too, but until then, this is goodbye from Sudeep and me (Shashwat)! Take care!
Matthew Short is the Player of the Match, here is what he has to say: (On the win) Massive win, we needed it. We need the next three in a row as well. It has been a tough season so far. Nice to finally get a win. I think teams are very dangerous when they have nothing to lose. Massive credit to our bowling group. We have been under the pump the last two games but they stood up today. They (the Scorchers) are a quality outfit wherever you play them. It was tough in Perth. We stuck to our guns today, and did what we have been talking about all tournament. (On juggling captaincy with his batting) I don't feel any extra pressure with the bat. Feeling really good. (On batting with Lynn) He has pretty much taught me all that I need to know in the last 12-18 months. He keeps me calm and always nice to not be chasing 200-210. Credit to the bowlers.
9:36pm A thoroughly dominant run-chase, headlined by skipper Short, who got the Strikers off to a blazing start and never looked back. Lynn also joined in on the fun, registering yet another BBL fifty, while D Short was particularly severe on Agar early in the innings.
Once the Strikers got going, the result never seemed in doubt, and they now have a template to cling on to as push comes to shove in the league stages, and they hope to soar further in the table.
It was a rare off-day for the Scorchers. They were outplayed in all departments, and could not summon the sort of efficiency that usually keeps them afloat in matches. Their lines and lengths were a little iffy too, and the catch that Richardson dropped off the first ball of their bowling innings perhaps summed it up.
GregOC: "Matt Short dropped first ball ... and look what happens!"
END OF OVER:16 | 12 Runs | AS: 153/1 (1 run required from 24 balls, RR: 9.56, RRR: 0.25)
- Matthew Short75 (50b)
- Chris Lynn50 (33b)
- Andrew Tye3-0-30-0
- Jhye Richardson4-0-38-0
Just 13 needed now. Power Surge still not taken
END OF OVER:15 | 7 Runs | AS: 141/1 (13 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 9.40, RRR: 2.60)
- Matthew Short74 (48b)
- Chris Lynn39 (29b)
- Jhye Richardson4-0-38-0
- Andrew Tye2-0-18-0
Normt: "Strange the power surge hasn't been taken. I would have thought the time has truly come for Strikers to improve NRR and Scorchers to attempt to limit the damage." -- The Strikers, though, will argue that they are going at close to ten runs per over, despite having not taken the Power Surge
END OF OVER:14 | 7 Runs | AS: 134/1 (20 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 9.57, RRR: 3.33)
- Matthew Short69 (45b)
- Chris Lynn37 (26b)
- Andrew Tye2-0-18-0
- Lance Morris3-0-25-1
END OF OVER:13 | 8 Runs | AS: 127/1 (27 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 9.76, RRR: 3.85)
- Matthew Short63 (41b)
- Chris Lynn36 (24b)
- Lance Morris3-0-25-1
- Ashton Agar4-0-35-0
Power Surge still not taken. Morris to bowl the 13th