Klinger and Boyce secure key Strikers win

Adelaide Strikers 4 for 162 (Klinger 71*) beat Hobart Hurricanes 8 for 124 (Boyce 3-17) by 38 runs
Scorecard

Adelaide Strikers secured a vital victory in their push for a Big Bash League semi-final place with a confident 38-run success against Hobart Hurricanes to move third in the table. Michael Klinger, the Strikers captain, anchored the visitors with an unbeaten 71 before emerging legspinner Cameron Boyce produced a telling spell of 3 for 17.

On a warm evening, with the red haze of the devastating bush fires visible in the sky, the home side started well with a wicket in the first over followed by the removal of a promoted Kieron Pollard in the third to leave the Strikers 2 for 20. However, the innings was sensibly rebuilt by Klinger and Callum Ferguson (32) before late acceleration came from Nathan Reardon and Johan Botha.

Aiden Blizzard fell in Shaun Tait's first over of the chase, but Tim Paine and Ricky Ponting had laid a foundation until Boyce had a decisive impact on the match. In his first over, he enticed Ponting into a drive which flew to point, then in his second claimed Paine and Travis Birt in the space of three deliveries. Birt, who was deceived by a googly as he tried to go over the top, was stunningly caught one-handed by Kane Richardson running around the boundary.

At 4 for 63 in the 11th over the game was all but done despite a deep Hurricanes batting order which had George Bailey at No. 6 and Scott Styris at No. 7. Richardson returned after an expensive first over to impress at the death. The Hurricanes are now just outside the semi-final places in fifth with one game to play, but four teams are currently tied on eight points in a tight league.