BBL 5 Match 28 Review: Strikers clinch a last ball victory

Tim Paine and Kumar Sangakkara went out to open the innings for Hobart Hurricanes after they won the toss and opted to bat first. The start was decent and was going well until Sangakkara was dismissed softly. Sanga was completely deceived by a Michael Neser off cutter and scooped a catch to Brad Hodge.

Michael Hill (32 from 21 balls) batted well with Paine. The run rate began to surge while these two were batting. But, Hurricanes suffered a double blow at a crucial stage. Paine (45 from 39 balls) was run out by Neser just when the Hurricanes looked to accelerate the innings to get to a bigger total. The call for the second run was tough and Naser covered the ground quickly to throw the ball at the bowler’s end. Paine dived, but the effort went in vain as he fell short of the crease. Hill was dismissed three balls later in the next over.

From there, the hurricanes began to lose wickets quickly. From being 92/2 at one stage, they were 143 all out in 19.3 overs. Adil Rashid (2/16) and Ben Laughlin (2/31) punctured the Hurricanes middle order. The lower order was highly disappointing. Hurricanes were not up to the mark batting wise and definitely missed Darren Sammy’s power hitting towards the end of the innings.

In reply, the Strikers started off slowly. Opener Jono Dean (15 from 15 balls) was the first one to fall after he was dismissed by Simon Milenko in his first over. Travis Head and Tim Ludeman then continued with a cautious approach and slowly built for a 39 runs partnership. But, Head was also made to depart before the 10th over by Milenko. However, this did not bother the Strikers as they required just 77 runs off the remaining 62 deliveries. Ludeman was batting with an unusually slow approach. Brad Hodge then combined with Ludeman to keep the scoreboard ticking and took the Strikers close to the target.

However, Shaun Tait threatened to twist the result after he clean bowled Brad Hodge in the 19th over. Ten runs were need off the last over. However, Jake Lehmann, Darren Lehmann’s son gave the nail-biting contest a perfect finish. Four runs were required off the last ball and Lehmann jr struck a length delivery from Milenko for a match-winning six. Ludeman’s innings was the spine of the chase. However, throughout the chase, it didn’t look as if he was willing to take the responsibility. Nevertheless, this exciting win takes Strikers to the top of the table ahead of Perth Scorchers while Hurricanes’ journey this season is virtually over.

Brief Scores:

Hobart Hurricanes: 143 all out in 19.3 overs (Tim Paine 45; Michael Neser 3/26)

Adelaide Strikers: 146/4 in 20 overs (Tim Ludeman 57; Simon Milenko 3/25)

Man of the Match: Adil Rashid