The Adelaide Strikers have celebrated the greatest-ever run chase in BBL history, with new skipper Matt Short bringing up his century with the final runs.
Short, stepping in for sidelined regular captain Peter Siddle, finished with 100 off 59 balls to lead the Strikers to the most unlikely victory with his first T20 century.
Pandemonium at the Adelaide Oval!
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 5, 2023
Unforgettable knock from Matt Short #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/s6Lcgc7qt9
INSANE!
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) January 5, 2023
SHORT HAS A TON, STRIKERS WIN! INSANE!
The biggest successful run chase in BBL history! What a night at the Adelaide Oval!
“They are throwing beers at the Adelaide oval” 🍺 @PfitznerMiles
AMAZING SCENES!
Chasing a mammoth total of 4-229 set by the Hobart Hurricanes in their 20 overs at Adelaide Oval, Short received two lives early when dropped off the bowling of Riley Meredith.
The opener made them pay, putting on a 124-run partnership with Chris Lynn (64 off 29 balls) for the second wicket. Adam Hose also chimed in with 38 off 22.
Two sixes in three balls! 😤
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 5, 2023
Matt Short is heating up...🔥
📺 Watch #BBL12 on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/Ec1gkg0aN0
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/LBhHaYR1Mf
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/AZvnoUjgj6 pic.twitter.com/GvGYEiwx7r
The English import too received a life on 20 when caught at mid-on on a ball deemed to have been a full toss above waist height.
Short smashed consecutive boundaries in the 20th over off Pakistan paceman Faheen Ashraf to bring up the record chase with three balls to spare.
Earlier, Ben McDermott (57), Caleb Jewell (54) and Zak Crawley (54 not out) dominated for the Hurricanes to surge the men in purple to the franchise’s highest BBL total.
For your viewing pleasure: all 25 sixes from an insanely high scoring match at Adelaide Oval last night. #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/LuLDVOEFnc
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 5, 2023
Short’s knock is particularly crucial given the Strikers staved off four successive losses with the win, while the Hurricanes have won three from seven.
Three of the five highest BBL scores have come in BBL|12.