BBL 5 Match 20 Review: Strikers go top with a brilliant all-round show

Mahela Jayawardena made the most of a promotion to the top of the order as he and Travis Head led the home Adelaide Strikers to 2-174 against the Perth Scorchers from their 20 overs at a packed Adelaide Oval. Promoted up the order in place of the axed Craig Simmons, Jayawardena was in superb form as he stroked an elegant 57 from 37 balls, with two sixes. Opening partner Tim Ludeman made a sedate 30 from 37 balls, with the pair involved in several mix-ups but somehow avoiding a run-out.

Head carried on his fine form with three sixes in a quick-fire unbeaten 51 from 31 deliveries, with Brad Hodge making 30 from just 15 balls late in the piece to help the Strikers to a strong total. Jason Behrendorff (1-27 from 4) led the way for the Scorchers, with Ashton Agar (1-12 from 2) getting his first bowl of the tournament and coaxing Jayawardena into a false shot that was caught on the midwicket boundary. Ludeman was dismissed paceman Joel Paris who made an easy catch look quite spectacular with some juggling work.

Billy Stanlake struck for the home side in the 5^th over and removed Shaun Marsh thereby breaking the trend of strong opening partnerships for the Scorchers. Marsh looked to drive a wide one on the up but was beaten for pace and only managed to get a thick edge as Ludeman dived full length to his left being airborne to pull off a stunner. The visitors were reduced to 10/2 as Stanlake took his second wicket, that of Marcus Harris top-edged a pull.

Skipper Michael Klinger couldn’t continue his golden run and departed for 15. The ball from Jon Holland drifted in from wide of the crease, sneaked through Klinger’s bat and pad to hit middle and off. Another top edged pull brought the downfall of Cameron Bancroft (17) as he tried to score off Kane Richardson. Ashton Agar (18) and Aston Turner (19) also failed to convert their starts as the visitors were reduced to 99/6.

The Englishman David Willey swung his willow efficiently and kept his team in the game. He struck 3 massive sixes to keep the home side under pressure. His partner Joel Paris was also looking good on 13, however, was cleaned by Ben Laughlin. With 41 needed off 24, Adil Rashid removed Willey to seal the match for his team. The left-hander made 31 off 17 balls and gave a glimpse of his batting talent. Rashid finished the match with impressive figures of 3/23 as the visitors were eventually bowled out for 138. Travis Head pocketed another man of the match award for his quick-fire knock.

Brief Scores:                                         

Adelaide Strikers– 174/2 in 20 overs (M Jayawardene 57; Agar 1/12)

Perth Scorchers – 138/10 in 17.3 overs (P Willey 31; A Rashid 3/23)

Man of the match:  Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers)