BBL 2015: Perth Scorchers silenced by an all-round performance from Adelaide Strikers

An all round performance from Adelaide Strikers ensured they notched up their third victory at home and their second win against Perth Scorchers this year, as they beat them by 36 runs in the Adelaide Oval. By virtue of this win, the Strikers go on top of the points table. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first on a good wicket, the Strikers got off to a good start. Openers Tim Ludeman and Mahela Jayawardene put up 84 runs for the first wicket. The Sri Lankan hit 57 off just 37 deliveries, which included 7 boundaries and 2 sixes. Match-winner from their previous game, Travis Head once again came good, as he smashed 51 off just 31 balls. Alongside captain Brad Hodge who hit 30 off 15 balls, the two pushed the team total to a healthy 174/2 at the end of 20 overs. Chasing the big total, Perth got off to a disastrous start and played differently when compared to their previous matches. They had lost the first 3 wickets with just 30 runs on the board. Middle-order batsman David Willey looked dangerous for a while, but soon after his dismissal, the Scorchers collapsed. Other batsmen like Cameron Bancroft, Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner all briefly contributed, but threw away their wicket in the middle. The Strikers’ bowlers came up with a spirited performance in defending the total. Englishman Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowler with figures of 3/23 while Billy Stanlake and Kane Richardson contributed with 2 wickets each. Travis Head was adjudged man of the match for his unbeaten 31-ball 51 and for picking up a wicket. Adelaide now have 8 points from 5 games and are on top of the points table while Perth were pushed to the second spot with 6 points from 5 games. Brief Scores: Adelaide Strikers 174/2 (20) (Jayawardene 57, Head 51*) beat Perth Scorchers 138 (17.3) (Willey 31; Rashid 3/23, Richardson 2/21) by 36 runs.