Adelaide Strikers breeze to third straight victory as storming start to BBL campaign continues

Sydney Thunder are again the victims of the Strikers' fast start to the competition, losing by six wickets with eight balls remaining despite Alex Hales top-scoring with 68

Adelaide Oval: Sydney Thunder 150-5, Adelaide Strikers 151-4 - Adelaide Strikers won by six wickets

Scorecard

Adelaide Strikers maintained their 100 per start to the new Big Bash League season after completing the double over Sydney Thunder by six wickets.

It was a rematch of the clash at the Sydney Showground Stadium four days previous when Thunder were bowled out for a men's T20 world record 15 and lost by 124 runs.

And though the margin of victory was significantly reduced this time around, it was a familiar outcome as Strikers made it three from their first three for the third time in BBL history.

Matthew Short (68) and Chris Lynn (28) made 83 for the second wicket to break the back of the chase of 151.

^{Matthew Short hit a second fifty of the competition (Sarah Reed/Getty Images)}

Adam Hose (28 not out) then steered Jason Gillespie's side to victory to leave them top of the table after the first week of action.

Thunder, led by Chris Green in the absence of captain Jason Sangha, have now lost three in a row but put up a much better performance on this occasion.

After ironic jeers met them reaching 15 batting first, Alex Hales smashed 68 and Oliver Davies added 42 in a stand worth 63 for the third wicket.

Alex Hales found form with 68 (Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

But the innings fizzled out thanks to some fine death bowling from Colin de Grandhomme, Rashid Khan, Henry Thornton and Peter Siddle.

As a result, Thunder were unable to find the boundary in any of the five remaining overs, leaving them with a sub-par 150 for 5, and that would prove significant in the final evaluation.

Brisbane Heat are both sides' next opponents. Strikers are the visitors to The Gabba on Friday (December 23) while Thunder have a week off to contemplate their less-than-ideal start, returning to action on December 27.

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