Adelaide Strikers clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers at the SCG, chasing down 160 with four balls to spare to register their first win at the venue since 2017. The match was highlighted by a superb all-round performance from Jamie Overton, while Babar Azam’s difficult start to his Big Bash League campaign continued.
Jamie Overton Shines as Strikers End SCG Drought
After being sent in to bat, Sydney Sixers posted 159 for 9 on a surface that offered good value for runs. Jamie Overton set the tone early for Adelaide Strikers with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 22 from his four overs. He was well supported by Luke Wood, who claimed 3 for 26, and legspinner Lloyd Pope, as the Strikers regularly broke partnerships to keep the Sixers in check.
Babar Azam, under pressure after a quiet debut in Perth, failed to make an impact once again. He scored just 9 off 10 balls before mistiming a shot to midwicket, a dismissal that mirrored his first BBL outing. Josh Philippe provided some momentum with a fluent 46 off 28 balls, but Sydney struggled to capitalise as several batters threw their wickets away at key moments.
Jack Edwards added late runs with a brisk 32, yet the total still felt slightly under-par. Pakistan quick Hasan Ali endured a tough debut, conceding 36 runs without taking a wicket, continuing a challenging start for Pakistan players in this season’s BBL.
Calm Chase Seals Statement Win for Adelaide
In reply, Adelaide Strikers got off to a fast start through Matt Short and Chris Lynn, but Sydney Sixers fought back by removing both inside the powerplay. Liam Scott then steadied the innings with a composed 51 off 32 balls, anchoring the chase as wickets continued to fall around him.
Jamie Overton once again rose to the occasion, contributing a vital 30 off 20 deliveries under pressure. Although he was dismissed with six runs still required, the Strikers held their nerve to cross the line without further drama. A brilliant one-handed catch by Dan Hughes briefly lifted Sixers’ hopes, but it wasn’t enough to derail Adelaide’s chase.
The victory marked a strong statement from the Strikers, while the Sixers slumped to 0–2 despite their reputation for defending modest totals at home. The match was preceded by a moment of silence to honour the victims of the Bondi terror atrocity, with enhanced security measures in place at the SCG, adding a poignant backdrop to an intense contest.
