Hales storm puts Thunder in clear
ALEX Hales continued his incredible BBL run spree and push for an England return as Sydney Thunder booked a finals slot at Adelaide’s expense in Adelaide.
The experience of former Test duo Hales (63, 39) and Callum Ferguson (46,33) told after Usman Khawaja’s first ball exit in a defining 116-run partnership that delivered a nine wicket win.
The Thunder chewed up a 116, rain affected match target, in 12.1 overs to bank a bonus point win and third spot on the ladder.
Having crunched 110 against the Sydney Sixers here on Friday night, Hales continued his quest for an England recall with another display of brutal hitting and 161 strikerate.
The Bash Boost point was available after seven overs with the Strikers only posting 38 at the half way mark. Pursuing the Boost point caused a 4-15 collapse and total Thunder unravelling on Sunday. This time the Thunder held their nerve. Hales reached 49 with a blow into the western stand that was a BBL record breaking 29th six of the season. Rangy opener Hales’ 30th six capped a third half century this campaign.
It’s cliché, but this was a Hale storm for Adelaide with Hales now on a league high 535 runs this season.
The humid conditions were tailor made for Daniel Worrall and the swingman upended Khawaja’s stumps for the opener’s maiden BBL duck but that was it for Adelaide.
Jake Weatherald (80, 47) found the timing, poise and control that was hard on a night made for bowlers with a 12th BBL half-century when it counted. Undefeated Weatherald’s one-man crusade accounted for 80 of a 4/115 total.
Weatherald carried his bat while featuring in a crucial, rear-guard stand of 63 with ever reliable Jon Wells (21, 18) that ensured a respectable total. The Strikers had slumped to 3-35 inside seven overs with Alex Carey (2), Phil Salt (1) and Travis Head (2) in the sheds.