Zampa ices the game before the rain really starts to pelt down. Flipped skids on from a good length on off stump, O'Connor can't read the fellow leggie and he plays around this as it smashes into off stump. Zampa picks up a BBL five-for!
The result means there is now a four-way deadlock on 20 points between the Scorchers, Stars, Heat and Strikers. However, the Strikers net run rate took a hefty blow with the margin of this defeat, the lowest ever total by the Strikers (their previous worst was 87 in 2012) and third lowest total in BBL history, to put them last in terms of those four teams on net run rate, placing them sixth out of eight teams on the BBL table. The Stars meanwhile are in fourth as the four teams equal on 20 points trail both Sydney franchises at the top of the standings. That's all from us for tonight. Come back tomorrow for more BBL action. Take care!
Man of the Match Andre Fletcher: "It means a lot. First I want to thank the coaching staff for believing in me. A few days ago I got a phone call from the great Brian Charles Lara and I was overwhelmed. The advice that he gave me, I decided to go into the game and apply myself. It goes to show why he's so great. I want to donate that fifty to my uncle who passed away a few weeks ago. Every day the batting coach Luke Wright and David Hussey have been reminding me I've been striking the ball well, it's just a matter of getting some luck to go on. It's good to have a big score in the MCG and I'm looking for some more. When I get going I try my best not to let things distract me. My shoes started coming untied [the more I scored] so maybe that's the reason."
9.59 pm A thoroughly dreadful performance by Strikers in their first match without Rashid Khan. Stars had a sedate start for the first 10 overs before Fletcher turned on the afterburners in the second half of the innings and Strikers were never in the chase at any stage.
good length ball on fourth stump, misses a prod.
Zampa has returned to the field with an over off in the dugout again. Slip in place.
missed runout! Full length pushed to extra cover, Stoinis runs across to his right and flicks a short range throw from 8 yards out with O'Connor way short of his ground. Just misses out on what could be the final ball of the match as the rain continues to thicken.
Rain is picking up quite a bit.
full and wide, slapped in the air over cover, no protection on the off side rope during the Power Surge and it takes some time to be tracked down before the rope.
Liam: "Absolutely no excuses for the Strikers, they have been deplorable. The damage was done before the wind picked up. But that swirly wind in the MCG makes it a nightmare to hit big. "
good length ball on off stump, guided to backward point.
Strikers seem determined to get bowled out before the rain intensifies.
back of a length ball on off stump, shuffles way across his stumps trying to flick this over short fine leg, thin edge/glove goes through to the keeper. Straightforward appeal upheld.
Rain is now coming down over the pitch at the MCG. Just a light drizzle for now.
bouncer over off, can't get this away.
Zampa has left the field once again after finishing his third over. Doesn't look like he'll be needed any further after that triple-wicket over.
full and wide, driven to cover.
Andrew McGlashan: "not sure how long Stars were expecting to have him, but Rauf has been named in Pakistan squad for Test series v SA later this month. First test is on Jan 26."
Zampa with a BBL 4-for! another attempted paddle sweep, but after a close shave last ball, Briggs can't escape this time around. Flighted a touch more on fourth stump and spins in to beat the bat. Struck in line with off stump and a big appeal upheld. Looked in trouble the moment he played the shot.
full on middle, paddle sweeps this fine past the keeper through fine leg to the rope.
Power Surge is serving to accelerate the collapse rather than accelerate the scoring rate. Meanwhile the weather radar is showing that rain is going to slam the MCG sooner than later, unless the Strikers get bowled out before the 20 overs, which is looking increasingly likely.
flighted full on middle, charges down the pitch and skies this over mid-off, Fletcher jogs in from the ring and takes a simple catch.
good length ball on the leg stump, defended.
good length ball outside off, goes to cut and beaten.
stone dead! Zips this in flat and full on middle stump, way too full for the sweep shot and Weatherald misses, hit on the back leg just above the flexed knee in front of middle stump. Cursory appeal upheld immediately by the umpire. No doubt that pitched in line and was ripping out the stumps.
Zampa has finished receiving his treatment and is back on the field. Power Surge called for at 5 for 59 with a required run rate of 15.13 at the moment.
good length ball on fifth stump, cut to the point sweeper.
good length ball on the stumps, flicked to midwicket.
full on the stumps, driven to extra cover.
short and wide again, slaps this off a toe edge over point.
short and way too wide, left alone and a bonus ball to come.
short and wide, cuts this to backward point, misfield allows a run.
Over 15 • AS 68/10