STRIKERS OVERCOME HURRICANES
Weatherald’s ton delivers BBL crown to Strikers as Hurricanes fold
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 premier from 2014-16 was washed away as Weatherald knockout out 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.
It was the first T20 title for a South Australian side since the Redbacks won the defunct Big Bash in 2010-11. Test legend and Strikers coach Jason Gillespie will now head to Sussex as head coach with T20 silverware to match his dual championships with Yorkshire.
Travis Head wins 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,” said Head.
Adelaide, missing the competition’s premier pace and spin combination – Billy Stanlake and Rashid Khan – 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,” said Weatherald.
Peter Siddle (3-17) used his 62-Test experience to repel the Hurricanes’ chase with immaculate control and the wicket of Short (68) in the 17th over.
Leg-spinner Liam O’Connor (0-27) held up his end of the bargain, putting the brakes on Hobart in his first match.
Siddle was introduced in the 11th over to claim George Bailey (46) and end the captain’s 81-run stand with Short.
Crunch time arrived with 82 needed off 30 balls and Short led the charge with 19 off Colin Ingram’s first over but Siddle would intervene with help from brilliant Carey.
A bizarre decision to bat inform Matt Wade at No.6 after 71 in the semi-final triumph against Perth backfired.
Former Test wicketkeeper Wade was irate when run out without scoring by a Carey throw and Hobart was cooked when they slumped to 5-145 in the 18th over.
YOU NEVER THINK THIS WILL HAPPEN. THE COACHES HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE. I DIDN’T FEEL GREAT BUT IT CAME OFF. JAKE WEATHERALD