Adelaide Strikers win by five wickets and open the defence of their title in very positive fashion. A poor night for the Heat in front of a big home crowd. They lost 8 for 51 before a last-wicket stand gave them something to bowl at. Alex Carey then led the run chase and the Heat couldn't strike often enough to create real pressure.
Shiva pops up with a stat: "Fifth successive loss for Heat in the BBL. They had lost their last four in a row last season. This equals their worst streak in the BBL (5 consec. losses in 2014-15 season).
There was a dose of controversy tonight as well with the bizarre run out situation involving James Pattinson, but it reached a sensible conclusion. We may hear more about it though. Alex will have his match wrap done shortly but, for now, it's goodbye and we'll see you for more BBL fun tomorrow.
END OF OVER:19 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | AS: 146/5 (1 run required from 6 balls, RR: 7.68, RRR: 1.00)
- Jonathan Wells23 (21b)
- Michael Neser1 (1b)
- Ben Cutting3-0-22-1
- Mark Steketee3-0-36-0
JS Lehmann c Swepson b Cutting 16 (12b 1x4 0x6) SR: 133.33
Todd: "As a batter, I always thought that I would walk when bowlers started calling me back when I wasn't out. Hitting the next ball for six was the appropriate response."
END OF OVER:18 | 12 Runs | AS: 140/4 (7 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.77, RRR: 3.50)
- Jonathan Wells19 (18b)
- Jake Lehmann15 (10b)
- Mark Steketee3-0-36-0
- Ben Cutting2-0-16-0
Graham Ward: "A distinct lack of 'elite honesty' from Carey!"
END OF OVER:17 | 8 Runs | AS: 128/4 (19 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.52, RRR: 6.33)
- Jake Lehmann12 (9b)
- Jonathan Wells10 (13b)
- Ben Cutting2-0-16-0
- Mitchell Swepson4-0-27-1
The Strikers just need to be sensible from here
