The super knock that set Strikers innings up

JAKE Weatherald saved his best for last, shattering records and Hobart as the Adelaide Strikers clinched a breakthrough BBL title in a canter at Adelaide Oval.

The pain of semi-final blowouts as minor premiers from 2014-16 was washed away as Weatherald smashed the Hurricanes with 115 in 70 balls of supreme stroke play.

Weatherald blazed the highest individual score in a final and fell just shy of D’Arcy Short’s record 122 set against Brisbane Heat on January 10. Adelaide’s 2-202 was the highest score in a BBL final and proved beyond Hobart (5-177) in a 26-run win. Dan Christian finished not out 29.

Travis Head clinched his first title after missing out with the Redbacks across four Sheffield Shield and one-day finals.

“It’s unbelievable after so much hard work,” Head said.

Adelaide, missing the competition’s premier pace and spin combination with Billy Stanlake and Rashid Khan on international duty, had to post a massive total and Weatherald stepped up.

“You never think this will happen. The coaches have been so supportive. I didn’t feel great but it came off,” Weatherald said. “My family was here from all over Australia so it was really cool.”

Weatherald fired the Strikers to the final in addition to clutch batsman Head (44 not out) cranking scores of 115, 65, 3, 56, and 57 after making just 87 runs in his initial seven digs.

Alex Carey and Weatherald were on course to replicate a season-high union of 171 against the Hurricanes in Adelaide last month before being parted.

Carey was cramped by quick Jofra Archer and chopped on.

Weatherald had put on a 104 stand with Head in the semi-final against the Renegades and ignited when joined by his skipper in a 140-run assault.

Adelaide was 1-96 after 10 overs and soon after Short misjudged a chance at deep mid-wicket from Head off Clive Rose.

Weatherald raced to his first BBL ton in the 15th over with a flick off Tom Rogers past mid-wicket, turning to teammates in the western stand with unbridled emotion.