The Big Bash League continued its explosive start as the Sydney Sixers hosted the Adelaide Strikers at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on December 17, 2025. In a high-stakes encounter defined by shifting momentum, the Adelaide Strikers pulled off a sensational three-wicket victory with just four balls to spare, successfully breaking an eight-year drought at the venue.
Toss and First Innings: Philippe Leads the Charge
The evening began with Adelaide Strikers’ captain Matthew Short winning the toss and electing to bowl first on a surface that appeared to offer early assistance to the seamers. The Sixers’ innings faced immediate turbulence as star international recruit Babar Azam fell for just 9 runs off 10 balls to the pace of Luke Wood. Daniel Hughes followed shortly after, departing for 11 despite an early maximum that hinted at a potential onslaught.
The innings found its pulse through Josh Philippe, who played a blistering knock of 46 from 28 deliveries. His aggressive stay at the crease was peppered with eight boundaries and a six, providing the home crowd with plenty to cheer about. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Lloyd Pope, the Strikers’ leg-spin specialist, was introduced. In a decisive over that silenced the SCG, Pope dismissed both Philippe and the dangerous Jordan Silk in consecutive deliveries, effectively derailing the Sixers’ middle-order engine room.
While captain Moises Henriques and Jack Edwards attempted to rebuild with scores of 20 and 32 respectively, the Adelaide bowling attack remained disciplined. Jamie Overton and Luke Wood were clinical during the death overs, ensuring the Sixers were restricted to a competitive but defendable total of 159/9. Wood finished as the pick of the bowlers with 3/26, while Overton’s 2/22 proved vital in keeping the run rate under control.
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The Chase: Liam Scott’s Steady Hand
Chasing 160 for victory, the Strikers’ response was a tale of survival followed by calculated aggression. The openers, Matthew Short and Chris Lynn, started with intent but the Sixers’ bowling unit responded with early breakthroughs. Both power-hitters were back in the dugout within the first four overs, leaving the chase precariously balanced in the hands of the middle order.
The hero of the pursuit emerged in Liam Scott. While Sixers’ spinners Jafer Chohan and Joel Davies kept the pressure high, Scott played a mature and measured innings. He anchored the chase with 51 off 32 balls, including three fours and three sixes. This knock marked a significant milestone for Scott, bringing up his second career BBL half-century at a moment when his team needed it most.
A spectacular one-handed catch by Daniel Hughes at short fine leg to dismiss Harry Nielsen briefly injected life back into the Sixers’ defense, but the Strikers remained composed. With the game entering the final stages and the pressure mounting, the visitors required 37 runs from the final five overs, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
The Finish: Overton and Wood Get the Job Done
Jamie Overton solidified his Player of the Match performance by following up his bowling heroics with a vital cameo of 30 runs from 20 balls. His ability to find the boundary under immense pressure took the Strikers to the brink of victory. Although Mitchell Perry eventually dismissed Overton in the 19th over, the damage was already done.
Luke Wood, showing his versatility as an all-rounder, remained unbeaten on 18 from 14 balls. Alongside Hasan Ali, Wood held his nerve in the final over against Hayden Kerr. A clean strike for the winning runs secured the victory for Adelaide with 19.2 overs on the board, marking their first win at the SCG against the Sixers since December 2017.
This result leaves the Sydney Sixers in a difficult position as they begin their campaign with two consecutive losses. Conversely, the Adelaide Strikers head home with significant momentum, having proven they can win under pressure away from home.
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