Adelaide Strikers

The Adelaide Strikers, a prominent franchise in Australian professional Twenty20 cricket, have left an indelible mark on the Big Bash League (BBL). Their story is one of perseverance and the quest for excellence.

Formation and Inaugural Years

The Strikers made their debut in the BBL in 2011, taking over from the Southern Redbacks, who had previously participated in the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash competition. The team found their home at the iconic Adelaide Oval, sporting their distinctive cornflower blue uniform.

In the early years, the Strikers worked diligently to build a competitive team. The inaugural captain, Michael Klinger, led the way, and the team was under the guidance of coach Darren Berry, who had previously coached the Southern Redbacks.

Season results

Season	League position	Finals position
2011–12	6th	Did not qualify
2012–13	5th	Did not qualify
2013–14	7th	Did not qualify
2014–15	1st	Semi-finals (lost to Sydney Sixers)
2015–16	1st	Semi-finals (lost to Sydney Thunder)
2016–17	6th	Did not qualify
2017–18	2nd	Champions
2018–19	7th	Did not qualify
2019–20	3rd	Lost the Knockout match against Sydney Thunder
2020–21	5th	Lost the Eliminator match against Brisbane Heat
2021–22	4th	Lost the Challenger match against Sydney Sixers
2022–23	7th	Did not qualify

A Wealth of Talent

Throughout their 11-year history in the BBL, the Strikers have consistently featured a roster of accomplished and beloved players. Among their ranks have been remarkable all-rounders like Johan Botha, Michael Neser, Kieron Pollard, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Chris Jordan.

The team has also boasted high-scoring batsmen, including Travis Head, Colin Ingram, Mahela Jayawardene, Jonathan Wells, Michael Klinger, and Jake Weatherald. Effective bowlers such as Ben Laughlin, Billy Stanlake, Rashid Khan, Peter Siddle, Adil Rashid, and Kane Richardson have contributed to the Strikers’ success. The wicketkeeping duties have been expertly handled by Alex Carey and Tim Ludeman.

Jason Gillespie’s Leadership

Currently, the Strikers are under the stewardship of former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Leading from the front, Travis Head serves as the team’s captain, while Alex Carey holds the position of vice-captain.

New Year’s Eve Tradition

One of the most iconic traditions in Australian cricket is the New Year’s Eve match hosted by the Adelaide Strikers. Since BBL03, a Strikers’ home match on December 31st has been a highly anticipated event. This tradition has grown in popularity, attracting enthusiastic crowds at the Adelaide Oval year after year. This match has come to be known as the New Year’s Eve Match or NYE Clash, and it has produced unforgettable moments.

In BBL03, Travis Head’s memorable century against the Sydney Sixers secured a historic victory for the Strikers, making it one of the most cherished New Year’s Eve clashes in BBL history. While the Strikers enjoyed a perfect 6-0 record in NYE Big Bash matches until BBL08, they faced their first defeat on New Year’s Eve in BBL09, narrowly losing to the Sydney Thunder by just 3 runs.

However, the Strikers haven’t tasted victory in a New Year’s Eve game since their triumphant run in 2018, marking a four-year losing streak that they aim to break.

By Opposition

Opposition	Pld	W	L	NR	%
Brisbane Heat	17	9	8	0	52.94%
Hobart Hurricanes	19	11	7	1	61.11%
Melbourne Renegades	16	10	6	0	62.50%
Melbourne Stars	15	8	7	0	53.33%
Perth Scorchers	21	10	11	0	47.61%
Sydney Sixers	18	7	11	0	38.88%
Sydney Thunder	21	10	9	2	52.63%

Highest innings score

Score	Opposition	Ground	Date
3/230	Hobart Hurricanes	Adelaide Oval	5 January 2023
8/207	Hobart Hurricanes	Adelaide Oval	26 January 2020
2/202	Hobart Hurricanes	Adelaide Oval	4 February 2018
4/202	Melbourne Renegades	Adelaide Oval	10 January 2023
4/198	Perth Scorchers	Adelaide Oval	23 December 2019