The undefeated Adelaide Strikers will face off against the Brisbane Heat at the GABBA today in what promises to be a crucial game for both sides. Join The Roar from 7.10pm for live scores and updates (AEDT).
The Strikers have begun the 2014/2015 BBL season in spectacular style winning their first three games and posting an incredible net run rate of 2.198, the next closest side (Perth Scorchers) boasts a net run rate of just 0.595.
Tim Ludeman has been the main catalyst for the Strikers impeccable campaign, the keeper batsmen has amassed 163 runs for the tournament at an average of 82.
Ludeman’s strike rate of 166 is the best of any batsman ranked in the top ten and if he gets away early tonight it may be game over for the Heat.
The Heat got their first victory of the season against the Melbourne Stars last week, but will be counting themselves lucky that Rob Quiney didn’t capitalise on a lame full toss by Ryan Duffield delivered on the final ball of the innings.
Despite being hampered by a lower leg injury, Quiney’s destructive innings of 45 off 31 deliveries almost stole a certain win from the Heat and uncovered some concerning problems.
Heat skipper James Hopes will be keen to avoid a tight finish tonight, as the performances of Ben Cutting and Ryan Duffield in the death left much to be desired.
Prediction:
The Strikers’ Chris Lynn has looked threatening lately but has been dismissed right as he looked primed to make a big score.
Expect Lynn to give the Strikers some headaches tonight and hand them their first loss of the season.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:10pm (AEDT).
If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
george maddock
Guest
watched glen maxwells no shot offered dismissal did not look good. if it was an indian or pakastani player there would of been calls for an inquiry come on acb at least issue a statrment
Brandon Browne
Roar Rookie
Go adelaide!
dan ced
Guest
It was certainly unique, without zinger bails the naked eye probably would not have seen a dislodged bail! I'll cop it because we won.. but annoyed for Ludes who is having a good tournament and would want even more runs to shock the selectors into action.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
I've got a big issue with the Ludeman run out. Why was there no close up of the bails being fully dislodged. It was a frame by frame decision but was given out based purely on the 'zing lights'. Don't even try and tell me they are inconclusive as is the want of any technology based decisions in real cricket. 28. Law 28 The Wicket is Down Law 28 shall apply with the addition of the following; For the purposes of Law 28.1, when 'Zing' stumps and bails are in use, the bails will be deemed to have been dislodged when the lights on the stumps and/or bails illuminate provided that one or both of the bails remain dislodged. So they've bent the rules to accommodate flashing bails. There was a run out last season where there was a close up of the bails that was distorted by the red glow and it was unclear if the bails were fully dislodged. I don't recall what the decision was. If the BBL wants to be WWE style entertainment then fine but if it wants to be a serious sport then ditch the flashing bails.
Dan Ced
Guest
Ryan Ten Doeschate comes in for Pollard. Probably better than Pollard with bat and ball... wonder how his fielding is!
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
The Strikers have claimed their fourth win in as many games, defeating the Brisbane Heat by 5 wickets in a tight contest. The main difference between the two sides was the heroics of promising young batsman Travis Head, who knocked up his maiden t20 fifty and remained 57* (40) when Johan Botha hit the winning runs off Cameron Gannon. The Heat need to take a valuable lesson out of tonight's loss, bowl with discipline. Too often the Heat were wild, bowling short and wide regularly. Ben Cutting was a chief offender as was Ryan Duffield, who struggled to have any penetration with the ball tonight. The Heat now slip to 1-3 as the Strikers solidify there top position on the ladder with 4 wins. Tonight was the heralding of exciting prospect Travis Head, who batted with calm and rarely looked flustered out in the middle. He was well supported by Alex Ross who raced to 36 off 24 balls before edging a straight ball through to Heat keeper Jimmy Peirson. Kieron Pollard departs the Strikers as he is required for national team duties with the West Indies, it will be interesting to see who comes in for the powerful all rounder. Until then, that's it for me tonight. Happy New year Roarer's and make sure to hop onto the Roar for live coverage of the fourth and final test between Australia and India which begins on the 6th of January.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
SIX!!! That's it! It's all over! Botha clears his front foot and throttles the ball over the ropes for six! Great win by the Strikers, fantastic innings by Travis Head, who remained unbeaten on 57 off just 40 balls. Match wrap up to come soon.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
There's a bit of an anti climax here as Alex Ross nicks one through to Jimmy Peirson off Gannon. He is finally given out by the umpire. Good knock by Ross, c Peirson b Gannon 36 (24). Johan Botha strolls out to the crease. 3 needed off 9.
Rellum
Roar Guru
The Heat seem obsessed with bowling short. I can't fathom why, they don't even try that many slower bouncers.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Christian responds well there, and Head is unable to connect with a good yorker. Christian completes his over and it's 4/174 off 18 overs. Six runs needed off two overs, the Strikers may struggle to get home from here ;)
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Bizarre delivery by Christian, a wild full toss which is deemed too high by the umpire and is a no ball. Free hit!
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
SIX! The Strikers are 4/137, just 16 needed off 17 balls. And right as I say this, Head plays a crunching hook shot for six and brings up his fifty!!!! A match winning fifty at that.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
FOUR Magnificent shot by Head, he flicks a beautiful wristy stroke off his pads and picks the gap in the field perfectly. Dan Christian will come into the attack, it's a pretty tough ask for Christian here.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
FOUR Ross with the goods, he gives himself room and dispatches Duffield back over his head and the white rock races to the rope for four. 4/127, 26 off 21 required.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
SIX!!! HUGE RUNS! FORREST MISFIELDS! Ross flicks a late cut and somehow it travels the distance for six, Gannon charges in the next ball and Ross cuts through point, Forrest misfields! A terrible mistake, and it's gone for a boundary! Unbelievable scenes! Just 32 needed off 24 balls now. Head 41, Ross 25. Duffield is back into the attack.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
It's hard to know which way this will go, Gannon has kept things tight so far, just the three off it, but Head is still there and it's only 42 runs required off 26 deliveries.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Head works the ball around for a single, Vettori offers up a bit of a pie chuck and Ross obliges, knocking it crisply down the ground for a boundary. Five overs to go now, 46 needed off 30 balls. Head 40 (29), Ross 13 (13). Cameron Gannon has been called upon by James Hopes to bowl his second over. 4/107 after 15.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Vettori rolls the arm over to begin his third over. Suddenly Travis Head has raced to 39 off just 28 balls. The Heat will want to dismiss him soon, if he stays in for the rest of the innings the Strikers will win.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
SIX!!! Hopes would feel a little unlucky there, Head didn't get that clean at all but it's sailed over the short boundary for another maximum. 4/95, 13.2 overs gone.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
SIX!!! Vettori hasn't enjoyed a fruitful BBL 2014/2015 campaign, he gets launched over cow corner for six by Head who moves to 29 now.