Right then, that is it from our coverage of match 31 of the Big Bash League between the Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes. Join us back on 10th January, Wednesday for match number 32 which will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane where the Brisbane Heat host the Perth Scorchers. It is a top-of-the-table clash and it will provide a lot of excitement for the viewers. The first ball will be bowled at 2.10 pm IST (8.40 am GMT) but our coverage will begin earlier. Do join us for the match. Until then, take care and cheers!

Cameron Boyce is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar bowling performance. He took 2 for 13 from his four overs. He starts by saying that it is a huge win for them in the context of the playoffs race. Adds that they are starting to believe and they have two big games coming up. Mentions that openers have batted at a rapid pace in the first four overs throughout the competition. Says that it was nice to play his role by picking up a couple of wickets. Feels that the team is doing alright and they need to keep believing. States that he tries to back his skills and be different. Ends by saying that he knows his game well having been playing for 12 years.

The Presentation ceremony…

Earlier in the innings, the Hobart Hurricanes had a poor start to their innings as they lost a few wickets in the Powerplay. However, we saw Ben McDermott and Chris Jordan put up a strong and explosive partnership towards the end of the innings and used the Surge to their advantage. Ben McDermott's unbeaten score of 95 runs helped the Hurricanes put 165 on the board which was a bit under par but given their situation was a very competitive total for the bowlers to defend. The Adelaide Strikers were bang on with their lines and lengths and gave their team wickets at crucial times. Jamie Overton was the pick of the bowlers as he took 3 wickets supported by a couple of wickets from Cameron Boyce. This bowling performance set the foundation for the batters to come out with a better morale.

The Adelaide Strikers were high on morale after a good bowling effort in the first innings. They came out to bat with good intent and targeted the first 4 overs of the Powerplay. They put pressure on the bowlers straight away and started finding the boundaries quite easily. D'Arcy Short was the only batter who was dismissed in the Powerplay but he had done enough damage. Matthew Short and Chris Lynn continued the attack until the drinks break. After that, both of them were dismissed followed by the wicket of Adam Hose as well. Alex Carey and Thomas Kelly built a strong partnership and took the right advantage of the Power Surge. Carey was dismissed after a very important knock. With no pressure of the required run rate on them, it was an easy chase and Jamie Overton finished things off winning the game for his team.

The Hobart Hurricanes had a very under-par total to defend and given their bowling performance in this season it wasn’t going to be an easy task. They let the reigns loose from the first over itself and allowed the batters to freely play their shots. The skipper, Nathan Ellis provided them with the only breakthrough in the Powerplay but that didn’t do much help as the batters continued the onslaught. However, they tried to fight their way back after the drinks break as they took three wickets in quick succession. Unfortunately for them, they had already given away a lot of runs. The Power Surge didn’t help their cause and brought the opposition closer to the target. Chris Jordan dismissed Alex Carey but that was a bit too late into the innings. Riley Meredith had to walk out of the field without completing his spell and the Hurricanes will hope he gets better soon and join them for their next game. This loss will make things difficult for them to move up the table.

This is what an exciting contest between two great teams looks like. At the start, it felt as if the Adelaide Strikers would power their way away to complete the chase but the middle overs were bowled brilliantly by the Hobart Hurricanes and brought them back in the game providing some ground for the bowlers and fielders to stand on. However, after a strong foundation set by the opening batters, it was an easy task for the others to see through the chase.

Corey Anderson has been handed the ball for the final over. 2 runs to defend.

Jamie Overton is the new batter in.

Chris Jordan to continue for the last over of his spell.

The skipper, Nathan Ellis has taken the ball himself to bowl the second over of the Surge and the final over of the spell. Will he be able to scalp another wicket?