Overton And Scott Lead Strikers To Dramatic Win Over Thunder

Adelaide Strikers posted 165 for 8, most of which was contributed by Liam Scott's unbeaten 49 and 38 by Mackenzie Harvey. The total looked slightly below par on a lively Adelaide Oval surface, although the Strikers’ bowlers showed up to the challenge.

Jamie Overton, Hassan Ali, and Lloyd Pope came up with key spells that shifted the momentum. What seemed like a comfortable chase for the Thunder transformed into a gripping finish as wickets began to fall at decisive stages.

Matt Short set the tone in the field, pulling off a diving catch to remove David Willey in the second-last over. Soon after, Luke Wood dropped what appeared to be a straightforward chance, only to strike back immediately by bowling a superb final over. Thunder needed 13 runs from the final over, but managed only 159 for 7 as Wood’s control sealed a six-run win for the Strikers.

Unbeaten on 67, David Warner showed his frustration once it became unclear Thunder would fall short. Thunder remain at the bottom of the table, and they have won only once in seven games.

Thunder collapse after strong start

In pursuit of 166, Sydney Thunder went cruising, at which point they were taken to 73 without loss in ten overs by Warner and Matthew Gilkes. Overton dismissed Gilkes for 43, and that wicket completely changed the entire scenario of the game. 

It was succeeded by a slight break; Sam Billings and Sam Konstas fell cheaply. The innings went out of control, with Thunder going down to 77/3.

Warner and Nic Maddinson steadied the innings with a 44-run stand, briefly putting Thunder back in the contest. Overton then struck again, removing Maddinson for 21, opening the door for another Strikers surge.

Pope bowled Daniel Sams, and Chris Green fell to a sharp run-out from Jerssis Wadia, leaving the chase hanging in the balance. Overton completed with a good 3 for 25 out of his four overs and combining control with aggression.

Strikers Survive, Thunder Bow Out Of Playoffs

Their innings, too, had been stop-start on the part of the Strikers. Chris Lynn had smashed a massive six off the first ball, yet both the openers, Chris Lynn and Matt Short, were dismissed within the first two overs.

Liam Scott steadied the innings through the middle overs, but he very frequently found himself left behind on the non-striker side in the late stages. Harvey had recorded 38 quality runs up to the time when Wes Agar closed the innings with the ball.

At the death, Agar excelled in his three overs as he took 3/16, and Tanveer Sangha bowled four overs to 0/19 and kept the run rate under control.

Even with their gallant rear-charge, Thunder are out of the playoffs, and Strikers are well in the hunt as the tournament narrows.

Final Score

Adelaide Strikers 165 for 8
Scott 49*, Harvey 38, Agar 3-16

Sydney Thunder 159 for 7
Warner 67*, Gilkes 43, Overton 3-25, Pope 4-37

Strikers won by six runs.