Short, Rashid Khan and Thornton dazzle as Strikers trounce Sixers
Short smashed 84 before Thornton bagged a four-for and Rashid Khan a three-for in Strikers' 51-run win
AAP
14-Dec-2022
Matt Short made 84 including 11 fours and two sixes • Getty Images
Adelaide Strikers 184 for 6 (Short 84, Lynn 41, Hose 40, Abbott 3-37) beat Sydney Sixers 133 for 7 (Silk 36, Thornton 4-20, Rashid 3-21) by 51 runs
Adelaide Strikers have made an impeccable start to their BBL campaign, dazzling with both bat and ball to trounce Sydney Sixers by 51 runs at Adelaide Oval.
After amassing an imposing 184 for 6 on Wednesday evening, largely on the back of Matthew Short's 84, Henry Thornton's career-best 4 for 20 helped Strikers restrict Sixers to 133 for 7.
Thornton and legspinning wizard Rashid Khan starred with the ball for Strikers who exacted some retribution for last season's Challenger Final between the two sides at the SCG, which the Sixers won in a last-ball heart-stopper to advance to the decider.
Jordan Silk top-scored for Sixers, whose lacklustre reply spluttered early and never recovered. Introduced in the third over, Thornton struck twice in his first three balls, dismissing dangerous duo Kurtis Patterson and James Vince.
Josh Philippe and captain Moises Henriques both fell victim to Rashid wrong 'uns as Strikers' grip on the contest tightened.
With the asking rate escalating out of control, Sixers were aiming to match the home side's 30-run haul when they took the two-over power surge but could muster just six runs, corralled by Strikers' two best bowlers, Rashid and Peter Siddle.
Thornton returned to the attack near the death and skittled Dan Christian and Sean Abbott. Earlier, Short led Strikers' assault with the bat after surviving the BBL's historic first-ever DRS challenge.
After the early loss of Jake Weatherald, Strikers temporarily plummeted to 2 for 2 when umpire Bruce Oxenford ruled Short lbw to Abbott.
Short successfully reviewed the decision, television replays confirming the ball was missing the stumps, and made the most of his reprieve, smoking the Sixers attack in his classy 53-ball knock.
Short was wonderfully supported by the competition's all-time leading runscorer Chris Lynn and swashbuckling England import Adam Hose, who both impressed for their new side.
Abbott and 19-year-old Afghan legspinner Izharulhaq Naveed were the pick of Sixers' bowlers picking up three and two wickets respectively.