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BBL 11 | Strikers clinch thriller against Thunder, continue their fairy tale run towards final

Adelaide Strikers, which won five of its last six games to make it to the finals of the Big Bash League 2021-22 and continued that run with a win in the Eliminator against Hobart Hurricanes have moved one step and continued their fairy tale run by defeating Sydney Thunder in the Knockout to advance to the Challenger, just one step short of a place in the title decider. 

The Strikers clinched a thriller at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as they defended 14 runs in the last over even as Thunder had more than five of their wickets intact. Chasing a target of 185, the Sydney team tried its best to get as close as possible even as it lost two of its best batters in Alex Hales and Usman Khawaja in the first seven overs itself. 

But not losing the plot, Jason Sangha and Alex Ross continued to follow the target at a good rate and reached within the striking distance with a 90 run stand for the third wicket. With 39 required from 23 balls, it was 60-40 in favour of the Thunder when Sangha was dismissed by skipper and Strikers legend Peter Sidlle. 

That wicket of Sangha became the turning point in the game as just after that wicket, the newcomer Sams too was removed and the Thunder needed 35 from the last two overs, still very much gettable. However, the 19th over totally shifted the momentum in Strikers’ favours as even in the 18th, 12 runs came and 23 was needed from the last two. In the 19th over, Siddle gave away only nine runs and forced Thunder to get 14 from the last. 

The last over was bowled brilliantly by Harry Conway who even after going for four on the second ball, bowled three dot deliveries on a trot, two of which also fetched him crucial wickets of Ross and Ben Cutting, the two men entrusted with the duties to win the game for their team.

Earlier in the evening, after winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the Strikers got off to a flyer, hitting 40 runs in the first four overs only. Even as Alex Carey got out, Matthew Short, the other opener continued his attacking play and added 50 in 37 balls with Ian Cockbain before getting out for 39. 

Though Short got out, Cockbain continued his onslaught and it was his innings of 65 off 38 balls that propelled the Strikers to reach 184-6 in their 20 overs.

The Strikers would now face yet another team from Sydney as they play the Sixers in the Challenger on January 26, which will determine the team that will face Perth Scorchers in the final on January 28.

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