ADELAIDE, Australia, , CMC- Kieron Pollard’s Adelaide Strikers scored a big win over Melbourne Stars in the opening match of the Big Bash League here yesterday.
The West Indies all-rounder was not among the wickets or runs as Strikers thrashed Stars by eight wickets with 45 balls remaining at Adelaide Oval.
Strikers reached 149 for two in reply to Stars 148 for seven in front of a record crowd for an opening Big Bash match. Pollard’s two overs leaked 23 runs including two consecutive sixes from debutant Kevin Pietersen.
Pietersen appeared to haul the Stars to a competitive total, top scoring with 66 of 44 balls but wickets fell at regular intervals in the final ten overs.
Strikers got off to an explosive start to the run chase, powered by a brutal fifty from their wicketkeeper and opening batsman Tim Ludeman.
Luderman’s half century was the fastest in BBL history off only 18 balls and he was unbeaten on 92 off 44 balls when the game ended in the 13th over.
