Bowling first, the Adam Zampa-led side completely dominated the proceedings and kept the run-flow down by taking wickets at regular intervals. Apart from Harry Nielsen, who smashed 40 off 33, no other batter could able to cross even the 25-run mark as the Strikers got bundled out for just 108 in 19.2 overs.
Nathan Coulter-Nile shined with the ball for the Stars, taking a three-wicket haul for 17 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Similarly, captain Zampa (2/20) and Liam Hatcher (2/18) also bagged two wickets each.
In response, the Stars chased down the paltry target inside 15 overs with nine wickets in hand. Opener Thomas Rogers smashed a brilliant half-century and stayed unbeaten on 51 from 45 deliveries, with the help of three fours and a six.
“It was nice to get those big guys at the top. It was a nice wicket to bowl on. There was some moisture underneath, so we bowled a few cross seams, and it got a little bit of nibble. It’s a lot easier on the body as compared to Shield cricket, where you got to bowl around 20 overs in an over. One down, four to go. Hopefully, we can win the reverse derby,” said Hatcher after bagging Player of the Match.
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