The result means there is now a four-way deadlock on 20 points between the Scorchers, Stars, Heat and Strikers. However, the Strikers net run rate took a hefty blow with the margin of this defeat, the lowest ever total by the Strikers (their previous worst was 87 in 2012) and third lowest total in BBL history, to put them last in terms of those four teams on net run rate, placing them sixth out of eight teams on the BBL table. The Stars meanwhile are in fourth as the four teams equal on 20 points trail both Sydney franchises at the top of the standings. That's all from us for tonight. Come back tomorrow for more BBL action. Take care!

Man of the Match Andre Fletcher: "It means a lot. First I want to thank the coaching staff for believing in me. A few days ago I got a phone call from the great Brian Charles Lara and I was overwhelmed. The advice that he gave me, I decided to go into the game and apply myself. It goes to show why he's so great. I want to donate that fifty to my uncle who passed away a few weeks ago. Every day the batting coach Luke Wright and David Hussey have been reminding me I've been striking the ball well, it's just a matter of getting some luck to go on. It's good to have a big score in the MCG and I'm looking for some more. When I get going I try my best not to let things distract me. My shoes started coming untied [the more I scored] so maybe that's the reason."

9.59 pm A thoroughly dreadful performance by Strikers in their first match without Rashid Khan. Stars had a sedate start for the first 10 overs before Fletcher turned on the afterburners in the second half of the innings and Strikers were never in the chase at any stage.

14.2
W
Zampa to O'Connor, OUT, Zampa ices the game before the rain really starts to pelt down. Flipped skids on from a good length on off stump, O'Connor can't read the fellow leggie and he plays around this as it smashes into off stump. Zampa picks up a BBL five-for!

LN O'Connor b Zampa 2 (4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

14.1
0
Zampa to O'Connor, no run, good length ball on fourth stump, misses a prod.

Zampa has returned to the field with an over off in the dugout again. Slip in place.

END OF OVER:
14 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | AS: 68/9 (112 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 4.85, RRR: 18.66)

  • Liam O'Connor2 (2b)
  • Wes Agar3 (1b)
  • Billy Stanlake2-0-10-1
  • Adam Zampa3-0-17-4
13.6
1
Stanlake to O'Connor, 1 run, missed runout! Full length pushed to extra cover, Stoinis runs across to his right and flicks a short range throw from 8 yards out with O'Connor way short of his ground. Just misses out on what could be the final ball of the match as the rain continues to thicken.

Rain is picking up quite a bit.

13.5
3
Stanlake to Agar, 3 runs, full and wide, slapped in the air over cover, no protection on the off side rope during the Power Surge and it takes some time to be tracked down before the rope.

Liam: "Absolutely no excuses for the Strikers, they have been deplorable. The damage was done before the wind picked up. But that swirly wind in the MCG makes it a nightmare to hit big. "

13.4
1
Stanlake to O'Connor, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, guided to backward point.

Strikers seem determined to get bowled out before the rain intensifies.

13.3
W
Stanlake to Valente, OUT, back of a length ball on off stump, shuffles way across his stumps trying to flick this over short fine leg, thin edge/glove goes through to the keeper. Straightforward appeal upheld.

C Valente c †Gotch b Stanlake 1 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 20.00

Rain is now coming down over the pitch at the MCG. Just a light drizzle for now.

13.2
0
Stanlake to Valente, no run, bouncer over off, can't get this away.

Zampa has left the field once again after finishing his third over. Doesn't look like he'll be needed any further after that triple-wicket over.

13.1
0
Stanlake to Valente, no run, full and wide, driven to cover.

END OF OVER:
13 | 4 Runs 3 Wkts | AS: 63/8 (117 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 4.84, RRR: 16.71)

  • Cameron Valente1 (2b)
  • Adam Zampa3-0-17-4
  • Zahir Khan4-0-19-2

Andrew McGlashan: "not sure how long Stars were expecting to have him, but Rauf has been named in Pakistan squad for Test series v SA later this month. First test is on Jan 26."

12.6
W
Zampa to Briggs, OUT, Zampa with a BBL 4-for! another attempted paddle sweep, but after a close shave last ball, Briggs can't escape this time around. Flighted a touch more on fourth stump and spins in to beat the bat. Struck in line with off stump and a big appeal upheld. Looked in trouble the moment he played the shot.

DR Briggs lbw b Zampa 4 (2b 1x4 0x6) SR: 200.00

12.5
4
Zampa to Briggs, FOUR, full on middle, paddle sweeps this fine past the keeper through fine leg to the rope.

Power Surge is serving to accelerate the collapse rather than accelerate the scoring rate. Meanwhile the weather radar is showing that rain is going to slam the MCG sooner than later, unless the Strikers get bowled out before the 20 overs, which is looking increasingly likely.

12.4
W
Zampa to Worrall, OUT, flighted full on middle, charges down the pitch and skies this over mid-off, Fletcher jogs in from the ring and takes a simple catch.

DJ Worrall c Fletcher b Zampa 0 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

12.3
0
Zampa to Worrall, no run, good length ball on the leg stump, defended.
12.2
0
Zampa to Worrall, no run, good length ball outside off, goes to cut and beaten.
12.1
W
Zampa to Weatherald, OUT, stone dead! Zips this in flat and full on middle stump, way too full for the sweep shot and Weatherald misses, hit on the back leg just above the flexed knee in front of middle stump. Cursory appeal upheld immediately by the umpire. No doubt that pitched in line and was ripping out the stumps.

J Weatherald lbw b Zampa 10 (9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 111.11

Zampa has finished receiving his treatment and is back on the field. Power Surge called for at 5 for 59 with a required run rate of 15.13 at the moment.

Strikers 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st6AT CareyPD Salt
2nd2AT CareyMT Renshaw
3rd36JW WellsMT Renshaw
4th7JW WellsJ Weatherald
5th2J WeatheraldRJ Gibson
6th6C ValenteJ Weatherald
7th0DJ WorrallC Valente
8th4DR BriggsC Valente
9th0C ValenteWA Agar
10th5LN O'ConnorWA Agar

Big Bash League

TeamMWLPTNRR
SS1495360.257
PS1485320.851
ST1486310.949
BH147729-0.286
AS1477280.105
HH147728-0.187
MS1458240.14
MR1441016-1.727