MITCH PULLS OFF SCORCHER
Johnson strikes and sends Adelaide packing with classic catch in Red Centre e
ADELAIDE Strikers slipped from top spot without skipper Travis Head – scorched by Justin Langer’s disciplined Perth in oppressive conditions at Alice Springs yesterday.
Depleted Perth reclaimed pole position on the BBL ladder while heightening concerns its title rival will struggle to cover the exit of No. 3 batsman Head to international one-day duty.
The Scorchers coasted to a 113 target in 18.2 overs through a 71-run, unbroken fifth-wicket union between Hilton Cart- wright (47 off 44 balls) and man of the match Ashton Agar (26 off 29).
“It was a battle,” said Strikers coach Jason Gillespie.
“We didn’t score enough runs after a good start. We need to find that formula.”
Adelaide’s stellar attack was again tasked with clawing it back into the game.
Michael Neser (2-18) answered the call to arms removing openers William Bosisto (3) and Michael Klinger (17). Peter Siddle knocked over Test opener Cam Bancroft (15), while Rashid Khan (1-15) confounded Ashton Turner (1) with a searing wrong’un.
Former Test pair Cartwright and Agar steadied the Scorchers taking 11 runs off one over from stand-in Strikers skipper Colin Ingram.
The Scorchers – under no scoreboard pressure – saw off the threat of brilliant Rashid and sealed the inaugural Jason Gillespie Trophy in the process.
Short of frontline batting talent, Adelaide folded for 112, punished for injudicious stroke play. In-form Alex Carey was the only batsman to fire with 44 from 32 balls before falling to Matthew Kelly (2-13). Kelly subsequently left the field due to dehydration.
Carey unleashed consecutive sixes off expensive Joel Paris (1-33) to end the initial power play but couldn’t record a third half-century this tournament. Carey has 268 runs at 53.60 this BBL in a concerted push for national recognition.
Adelaide added just 63 runs after the departure of opener Jake Weatherald (19).
“We started well with Alex and Jake. Unfortunately in the middle period we lost 5-45. Getting bowled out for 112 wasn’t good enough,” Gillespie said.
Fringe Test spinner Agar (3-19) scythed through Adelaide’s middle order claiming Ingram (3), Jono Dean (13 off 17) and Jake Lehmann (1).
The Strikers needed a clutch knock from South African “Bulldozer” but Ingram succumbed to Agar, hitting against the wind to Bosisto.
Michael Klinger and keeper Bancroft combined to run out Jono Wells (10). Adelaide couldn’t recover.
Kelly and former England allrounder Tim Bresnan (2-14) backed up fill-in skipper Turner’s decision to bowl first with Adam Voges suspended.