Strikers bowl first against ‘Canes in BBL

The Hobart Hurricanes have continued their love affair with the Adelaide Strikers’ attack, blasting a franchise record 4-229 in the BBL clash at Adelaide Oval.

Openers Ben McDermott (57) and Caleb Jewell (54) started the onslaught on Thursday night before Zak Crawley (54no) and Tim David (39no) produced the late fireworks after Matt Short, the acting Strikers captain in the absence of regular skipper Peter Siddle (back injury), surprisingly sent the visitors in.

The Strikers will need to pull off an all-time competition record run chase after the ‘Canes posted the equal largest score of any team this summer.

McDermott and Jewell combined for a blistering 88-run first-wicket stand, bettering their matchwinning efforts from Monday’s meeting when their twin half-tons allowed the Hurricanes to cruise to victory.

Jewell was again the early aggressor, crunching four sixes in his swashbuckling 25-ball knock before succumbing to a sharp catch at short third man by Chris Lynn.

McDermott holed out to Adam Hose in the deep in the 11th over but the pain was far from over for the Strikers.

England Test opener Crawley, fresh off starring in his country’s victorious tour of Pakistan, and short-form specialist David put on 89 unbroken runs for the fifth wicket from 39 balls.

Rashid Khan, playing his last match of the tournament, was denied a wicket with his last delivery when Crawley, on 40, was grassed by Lynn.

The Englishman made the Strikers pay, smashing the last ball of the innings from Wes Agar for the rampaging Hurricanes’ 14th six.