Wells sinks table-topping Stars
Adelaide Strikers boosted their hopes of a top-two finish in the Big Bash League by recording an 11-run victory over runaway leaders Melbourne Stars.
Jono Wells was instrumental to the Strikers' 162-4, sharing in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 71 with Matthew Short, before the duo of Peter Siddle and Rashid Khan frustrated the Stars' batsmen with the ball.
The win saw Adelaide move above Sydney Sixers in the table, both sides on 15 points, five behind the Stars.
Wells' knock gave the home side's innings much-needed impetus after Phil Salt, Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey all got starts without going beyond 40.
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The Tasmanian hit two sixes and four fours in a 36-ball 55 which, alongside Short's 23, gave the Adelaide bowlers something to work with.
585 - M Stoinis
449 - S Marsh
406 - J Wells
404 - B Webster
Another brilliant unbeaten 50 takes Jon Wells into the top three run-scorers of #BBL09! pic.twitter.com/q33XRUINCD — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2020
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Michael Neser and Siddle immediately applied the pressure, with the latter also claiming the prize wicket of BBL top run-scorer Marcus Stoinis (5) after he mistimed a drive towards long-on and was snaffled by Salt.
And the Stars were put further on the back foot when Rashid bowled the dangerous Nic Maddinson with his second ball.
Wes Agar accounted for Nick Larkin and Glenn Maxwell and Neser snared Seb Gotch, with Adelaide always seemingly in control.
However, Peter Handscomb (65 not out) helped the Stars reach the final over requiring 22 to complete a remarkable win.
Home skipper Travis Head turned to veteran Siddle and he saw the Strikers home with two wickets as Melbourne were restricted to 151-8.
That'll do it!
The Strikers beat top spot and go to second on the table!
SCORECARD: https://t.co/006X8X8WkP#BBL09 pic.twitter.com/W6x5jufdiI — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2020
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Handy Hinchliffe
Clint Hinchliffe's left-arm spin had only reaped five wickets in the BBL this season but he was the Stars' best bowler while the more established Daniel Worrall and Adam Zampa struggled.
Hinchliffe took 3-19, including a sharp caught and bowled to remove Weatherald, to keep the Strikers top order from cutting loose.
Head Boy ends the 'Big Show'
Melbourne's best chance of chasing down the Adelaide total rested on the shoulders of Maxwell.
But the 'Big Show' failed to wow the crowds as he holed out to Head off the bowling of Agar for 19.
Super Siddle shows he's still got it
The pressure was on Siddle at the beginning and end of the Melbourne innings and he delivered both times, finishing with figures of 4-33 from his four overs.
The former Australia international cleverly varied his length and pace and proved far too wily for the Stars line-up.