Match Center

Right, another game in the 2023-24 Big Bash League has gone by and it is now time for a doubleheader Saturday as there are a couple of big matches lined up on 23 December. First up is a clash between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder in Albury which will begin at 10 am IST (4.30 am GMT) and this will be followed by an encounter between Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades in Hobart. That game will start at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GM) but you can join us sooner for the build-up of both those games. Cheers!

Jordan Silk is the Player of the Match for his fine half-century. He talks about the exceptional last over where Jamie Overton hits a six out of nowhere to bring them back into the match. It was a superb game of cricket to be a part of. He adds by saying that the planning was on point and the lads were all confident that the score could be defended and that is how they entered the second innings. When asked about the partnership with his skipper, he mentions how experienced Moises Henriques is and always has a plan up in his mind. Ends by saying that captaincy has been really good as well and the executions have been on point.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the contest, Matthew Short put Sydney Sixers into bat first and after some fireworks at the top of the order from Josh Philippe, Adelaide Strikers got back in the game thanks to a doublestrike by Jamie Overton. The Sixers' innings progressed slowly but steadily and Jordan Silk was able to cash in the death overs, propelling his team to over the 150-run mark. It was a fine bowling effort by the Strikers but their batters couldn't replicate the same in the run chase and as Sydney Sixers mots often do, they found a way to win.

Heartbreak for Jamie Overton and Adelaide Strikers as he gave it his all but just couldn't find the fence on the final delivery and the Strikers lose their first game of the campaign. It wasn't an ideal start for them as D'Arcy Short got out early but Chris Lynn came in and smoked the ball to all parts of the ground with skipper Matthew Short supporting him well. After Lynn's departure though, things became slow and Short also got bogged down. The middle order faltered but Short put on a steady stand with Jamie Overton before getting out on 55. Overton came to his own in the death overs and hit away a couple of boundaries in the final over but unfortunately for him, it wasn't enough.

An absolutely riveting encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground and it is the home side, Sydney Sixers who have pulled off a memorable 1-run victory over Adelaide Strikers and have made it three wins out of three to begin their campaign. The Sixers were up against it as they didn't have a big score on the board and on a pitch where the pacers had something on offer, they fielded a couple of spinners rather than an extra pacer. However, Jackson Bird started off brilliantly with the ball and got the early breakthrough. They face a bit of an onslaught from Chris Lynn but skipper Moises Henriques stepped up and sent him packing. It was neck and neck for a while as the spinners bowled tight lines and lengths but the Power Surge went the way of the Sixers as Bird bowled brilliantly at the death as well. In the end, Ben Dwarshuis did just about enough in the final over to take his side over the line.

Low full toss outside the off stump line, Jamie Overton launches the ball towards sweepers but could not find the boundary. The Sydney Sixers have won the game with one run. The batters come back for a second run and the Adelaide Strikers could score 154 at the end of 20 overs and have lost the game by 1 run.

Pitched up outside the off stump line and Harry Nielsen punches the ball down to long on and takes a single.

Pitched up on the stumps. Jamie Overton pushes the ball to long off and takes a single.

SIX! That is huge and way over deep square leg for a massive six. Jamie Overton putting up a superb fight. Short ball with pace on, at the body of the batter and Jamie Overton uses that pace and pulls the ball high over the deep square leg fielder for a maximum. 6 runs now needed in 3 balls.

A low full toss on the stumps this time and Jamie Overton muscles the ball towards deep mid-wicket and runs a couple to keep strike.

FOUR! 18 runs are needed off 6 and Jamie Overton starts off with a boundary. Fuller delivery outside the off stump and Jamie Overton hammers the ball over covers toward the shorter side of the ground for a superb boundary.

Ben Dwarshuis to bowl the final over. Can he defend 17 runs?

Short ball again at the batter. Jamie Overton pulls the ball high and makes it land over the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Pitched-up ball outside the off stump line. Jamie Overton looks to thrash it away but is beaten by pace this time.

Short ball at the stump line. Harry Nielsen flicks the ball to deep square leg for a single.

Harry Nielsen walks out to bat next.