The Adelaide Strikers have emphatically ended a seven-year curse on New Year's Eve, powered by a masterclass from veteran batsman Chris Lynn to secure a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat.
Lynn's Milestone Innings Seals Clinical Chase
After restricting the Brisbane Heat to a modest total of 121 runs in 19.4 overs at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night, the Strikers' run chase was a one-man show. Chris Lynn, playing his 300th T20 match, blasted an unbeaten 79 runs from just 41 deliveries, single-handedly steering his team to victory with a whopping 35 balls to spare.
Lynn's explosive knock, featuring six fours and six sixes, was historic. During his innings, he became the first-ever batter in BBL history to surpass 4,000 career runs. He fittingly reached the milestone by launching Xavier Bartlett over the boundary rope for six.
Heat Collapse Proves Fatal
The match was effectively decided in the first six overs of the Heat's innings. Brisbane suffered a catastrophic top-order collapse, slumping to 5 wickets for just 21 runs by the sixth over. The top three batsmen—Colin Munro (4), Jack Wildermuth (5), and Lachlan Hearne (2)—all fell in identical fashion, miscuing catches to mid-off.
Matt Renshaw (6) was run out, and Max Bryant (1) edged behind, leaving the innings in tatters. Wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (13) offered brief resistance before chopping on to Hassan Ali, leaving the score at a dire 6/47.
A late partnership between Matthew Kuhnemann, who scored a career-best 31 not out, and Hugh Weibgen (28) helped the Heat avoid complete embarrassment, pushing the total past 100. For the Strikers, the bowling honours were shared by Jamie Overton (3/19), Liam Scott (2/12), and Hassan Ali (2/29).
Strikers Exorcise New Year's Ghost
This victory was particularly sweet for the Adelaide franchise, marking their first win in the marquee December 31 fixture since the 2018 season. It also served as swift revenge for a narrow seven-run loss to the same opponents at the Gabba just days earlier, on Saturday.
Strikers' import Jamie Overton praised the team's all-round performance. "Started very well with a few wickets in the powerplay," Overton said. "To keep picking up wickets was great. Then obviously very clinical from Lynny to see us over the line quite comfortably."
While captain Matt Short (19), Mackenzie Harvey (11), and Jerrssis Wadia (1) were dismissed, the Heat had no answer for Lynn's dominance. He brought up his record-extending 32nd BBL half-century off just 30 balls and finished the game in style, smoking spinner Matthew Kuhnemann for three consecutive sixes.
Reflecting on the heavy defeat, Brisbane's Kuhnemann conceded his side was outplayed. "We didn't make enough runs and we could have bowled a little better as well," he said. "Just need to clean up all areas of the game."
