The Adelaide Strikers have been taken to task by cricket fans after a humiliating loss to the Perth Scorchers in the BBL on Friday. Despite being led by Test stars Travis Head and Alex Carey, the Strikers were rolled for just 92 in front of their home crowd at the Adelaide Oval.
Aaron Hardie then made 43 as the Scorchers chased down the victory target with 53 balls remaining for a seven-wicket victory. The Strikers only lasted 17 overs as they folded meekly and continued their tumble down the BBL ladder.
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Their fourth-successive defeat has seen them drop out of the top five after the Brisbane Heat later beat the Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba. English import Adam Hose (30) was the only batter to find some joy as Golden Bat leader Matt Short (0), captain Head (nine) and Carey (one) were all dismissed cheaply.
“It hasn’t gone to plan,” Strikers coach Jason Gillespie told Fox Cricket. “We felt we needed a bit more support with the batting.
"We just haven’t executed. It’s been a pretty poor display … there’s no hiding from that.”
Head was one of the stars of Australia's domination of the Test summer. However he has scored just 15 runs at an average of five since returning to the BBL.
"As funny as it sounds, technically we're not out of it," Strikers spinner Cameron Boyce said after the game. "We obviously need to win in Melbourne (against the Renegades at Marvel Stadium next Tuesday) and hopefully (other) results go our way.
"It happens in T20 cricket sometimes … you get in that hole and it keeps spiralling. They (Scorchers) are a world-class bowling line-up."
Fans were quick to condemn the Strikers on social media. Their dismal batting display was labelled 'pathetic' and 'embarrassing'.
For the Scorchers, leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou (3-14) and paceman Lance Morris (3-26) both produced career-best figures. Left-arm paceman David Payne decimated the Strikers' top order and finished with 3-20.
"It's always nice to win," Hatzoglou said. "To do it in that fashion is really special and we'll cherish it going into the finals. It's nice to have that sort of form going into the finals. Hopefully we can go (win) back-to-back (titles) this year."
After making a career-best 90 not out in the Scorchers' win over the Hurricanes last Wednesday, Hardie continued his dominant form against Adelaide. Hardie and Josh Inglis smoked three sixes off Colin de Grandhomme's only over, before Hardie hole out to a juggling catch from Harry Nielsen late in the run chase.
The Strikers' victory consolidated their spot atop the BBL ladder, while the Strikers' freefall continues. They are now sixth on the ladder with five wins from 13 matches and in serious danger of missing the finals.
with AAP
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Cricket fans turn on Adelaide Strikers over 'pathetic' scenes in BBL – Yahoo New Zealand News
