STR VS SCO KNOCKOUT

Right then it will be the Adelaide Strikers taking on Brisbane Heat at the Gold Coast in the Challenger. The penultimate game of the tournament will be played on 22nd January. The game will be live from 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT) but you can join us an hour early for the build-up. Till then cheers!

Lloyd Pope is the player of the match and he is up for a quick chat. He says that the long boundaries helped his cause and they were looking to bowl in areas that would force the batter to take on the longer regions. Mentions that when he was included in the side he just looked to execute his skills and have fun to peel off the pressure from the big occasion. Closes by saying that Brisbane are a good side and they are looking to face them on Monday.

Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first on a tricky surface, The Adelaide Strikers managed to score 155 from their 20 overs. The Strikers started poorly as they lost wickets in a cluster and never got going. The Strikers were 4 down at 48 around 9 overs and were strangling to reach the three-figure mark but a fantastic counterattack from Jake Weatherald who scored 56 runs helped the side post a total they could fight for. The last few partnerships were key as well with Benjamin Manenti scoring 23 and Henry Thornton scoring 28. The bowling was good from Perth Scorchers as they kept a tight hold on proceedings with Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly picking up a couple each while Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye took a wicket as well.

The bowlers started a bit off the mark but pulled things back in a tremendous manner after the mandatory powerplay as they controlled the middle phase well. It was spin to win for Adelaide Strikers as the spinners got a total of 8 wickets with Lloyd Pope scalping 4, Cameron Boyce picking up 3 and Matthew Short taking a wicket as well. David Payne and Henry Thornton took a wicket each as well.

Chasing down a formidable total, Perth's inning started nicely with Sam Fanning being the aggressor and Marcus Harris opting to anchor the debutant. The duo added 38 runs for the first wicket. Sam Fanning departed after a brisk knock of 31. The wicket started the collapse as the Perth Scorchers were struck with a cluster of wickets and lost 4 in a flash with just 48 on board. The 5th wicket partnership skipper Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly then looked to rebuild but were cut short as they managed to put just 22 together. The wickets kept tumbling and so did the Perth Scorchers who were eventually bowled out well within 20 overs on just 105. Perth Scorchers bow out of the competition with this loss.

After being 48 for 4 themselves the Adelaide Strikers managed to post a formidable total and have defended that successfully. All thanks to the spin duo of Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce that scalped 7 together off their 8 overs. The Adelaide Strikers defeat Perth Scorchers by 50 runs and advance to the challenger where they will take on Brisbane Heat.

OUT! CAUGHT! James Bazley has pulled a ripper of a catch and the Adelaide Strikers are through to the Challenger! Short of a length in middle, Cooper Connolly shuffles to his leg and pulls this but gets a bit more elevation as the ball hinges above James Bazley at long on. James Bazley backpaddles and collects it with momentum taking him further back but he gets rid of it just in time and rallies a catch on the second go being inside the playing area.  A stunner from James Bazley seals the deal for Adelaide Strikers as they defeat Perth Scorchers by a margin of 50 runs.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Boyce tosses this up outside off, Connolly steps out of the crease to get to the pitch of the ball and lifts it over covers. Gets it right off the middle of the bat and the ball sails over the ropes for a maximum.

IS THAT THE CATCH THAT TAKES Adelaide Strikers TO CHALLENGER? The soft signal was out and James Bazley has done tremendously well to pouch this on a rally right at the fence.

Fuller one down leg, Cooper Connolly looks for the slog but misses out. Wide signalled by the umpire.

Lance Morris walks out last to bat.

OUT! Lloyd Pope gets another four-fer. Llyod comes wider of the crease and bowls a flighted googly around off, Behrendorff leans into it and drives at it but leaves a big gap between the bat and the pad. The ball sneaks in between to disturb the timber.

Fuller one on off, Jason Behrendorff pushes this to the off side for no run.

Jason Behrendorff walks out next.

OUT! Lloyd Pope delivers yet again for his skipper. Floats one full and on the roots of the off-pole, Andrew Tye looks for the big heave again but gets it past his bat and the ball clatters into the stumps.

Tossed up on off, Cooper Connolly drills this to long off for a single.

Fuller one on the pads, Cooper Connolly looks to nudge this around the corner but gets thumped on his front pad.