BBL 5 Match 14 Review: Travis Head turns the match on its head for the Strikers

Travis Head made possible a result that seemed otherwise for a major part of the match. Playing arguably one of the greatest T20 knocks ever, he took his team Adelaide Strikers home in a thrilling contest against the Sydney Sixers in front of a capacity crowd at The Adelaide Oval. His unbeaten 101 off 53 balls, which included 4 fours and 9 sixes, is sure to make headlines in the Australian newspapers.

Earlier in the evening, the Strikers won the toss and decided to field first on a batting paradise. Michael Lumb, who opens the batting for Sixers, was batting brilliantly having smashed 2 sixes and 2 fours. The two left-handers, Lumb and Ed Cowan gave their team a flying start by adding 66 for 6.5 overs that put the pressure on the home side. The last ball of the 7th over though produced a sensational catch by Alex Ross that dismissed the Englishman for 31 off 22. With this, the Sixers lost the momentum they had gained at the start.

Skipper Nick Maddinson failed to open his account and was dismissed by Adil Rashid who bowled a brilliant spell on a fantastic night at the beautiful ground. Ed Cowan departed for a well compiled 43 off 32 while Jordan Silk soon followed him after scoring just 3 runs. The wicket of Ryan Carters left the Sixers precariously placed at 105-5 in 14 overs.

With 6 overs to go the veterans, Brad Haddin and Johan Botha got together and performed a marvelous rescue act for their team. Both smashed the bowling to all parts of the ground putting immense pressure on all bowlers. Both remained unbeaten and took their team to 176 at the end of 20 overs. Haddin’s 54 off 35 included 4 sixes and 2 fours while Botha’s 38 off 20 was filled with 4 fours and 1 maximum. Rashid’s was most impressive in a spell of 3/34.

Tim Ludeman and Craig Simmons gave the Strikers a perfect start by adding 46 in 4 overs before the latter was dismissed for 26 off 16 that featured 4 fours and 1 six. Mahela Jayawardena hit an elegant boundary however soon perished while attempting an upper- cut off fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis. In came Travis Head with a clear intention to take the game as deep as he could. Wickets of skipper Brad Hodge and Alex Ross didn’t affect him a wee bit as he continued his merry way.

At the end of 17 overs, the Strikers were 126/5 and needed 51 off 18. What followed was absolute carnage of the bat of Head. Sean Abbott was to bear the brunt of Head’s fury as he was smashed for 27 runs in the over which turned the course of the match in home side’s favour. Doug Bollinger gave 6 off the first 3 balls however the 4th one was smashed for an incredible six over cover by the left-hander.

Abbott was given the last over and entrusted with a task of defending 13 however his miserable night continued as Head’s 3 sixes finished the game in a remarkable fashion that also brought up the first century by an Adelaide Strikers batsman in BBL history. Dwarshuis’s was highly impressive in a spell of 3/25 while Abbott’s 1/57 highlighted the hammering he suffered.

Brief Scores:

Sydney Sixers: 176/5 in 20 overs (B Haddin 54; A Rashid 3/34)

Adelaide Strikers: 182/5 in 19.3 overs (T Head 101; B Dwarshuis 3/25)

Man of the Match: Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers)