The Adelaide Strikers have kicked off their Big Bash League campaign with a stunning upset, defeating the Sydney Sixers by three wickets in a nail-biting final-over finish at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Overton Seals Dramatic Chase
Chasing a target of 160 for victory, the Strikers' innings was in constant peril. Their superstar openers, Chris Lynn (5) and Matt Short (15), fell cheaply during the powerplay. The situation worsened when Harry Nielsen was dismissed for a duck thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Daniel Hughes.
With no other recognised batters left, the responsibility fell to English import Jamie Overton at number six. He rose to the occasion with a crucial 30-run knock, guiding his team to the target with four balls to spare. His innings included a massive six off Mitch Perry that sailed down the tunnel near the members' stand.
"It's nice to get one over the Sixers, they've been a formidable side in the Big Bash since it started," Overton said post-match. "We've obviously started here but we've still got a long way to go."
Sixers' Star Signing Struggles Continue
For the Sydney Sixers, the loss marks a concerning 0-2 start to the BBL season. The spotlight remains firmly on their high-profile international signing, Pakistani superstar Babar Azam.
Despite a dedicated fan zone dubbed 'Babaristan' being set up in the Bill O'Reilly Stand, the batsman failed to deliver again. He was caught at midwicket for just 9 runs off the bowling of Luke Wood. Across his first two matches for the Sixers, Azam has managed only 11 runs in total.
Josh Philippe provided some resistance with 46 runs, but the Sixers' innings never fully recovered from a collapse of 3-6. This slump included the wickets of Philippe, Jordan Silk (0), and captain Moises Henriques (20), with leg-spinner Lloyd Pope claiming 2-25.
"We got wickets at the right time and we stayed in the contest as long as we could," Philippe admitted. "We were probably just 10 or 15 (runs) short at the end."
A Landmark Win for the Strikers
The victory is significant for the Adelaide Strikers, who finished with the wooden spoon last season. It marks their first win at the SCG since 2017, breaking a long drought at the iconic venue.
While Jamie Overton was the hero at the death, the foundation for the chase was laid by Liam Scott, who scored a well-made 51 – his second T20 half-century. The win provides the Strikers with perfect momentum as they look to rebuild their campaign, while the Sixers are left searching for answers after a second consecutive defeat.
