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It took 47 games for a batsman to hit the Big Bash League’s first century of summer, but two have now been counted on two consecutive nights.
Star Sydney Thunder batsman Alex Hales beat 110 runs tonight with just 56 balls to catapult the Lime Men in total for the best innings in BBL history, just one night after Alex Carey shot the Adelaide Strikers after breaking through the drought of the century.
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Hales smashed nine fours and eight sixes in the Adelaide Ring clash as the Thunder eclipsed the Hobart Hurricanes’ record innings total of 8-223, en route to 5-232 in the “Sydney Smash”.
And while captain Moises Henriques (56 of 35), Jordan Silk (42 of 30) and James Vince (38 of 23) all made significant contributions in the pursuit, the Sixers lost 46 points.
Hales’ innings were largely a mix of phenomenal power hitting and skillful shooting, some of which saw him wiggle his wrists beautifully and send the ball rushing towards the limit of the point.
The 31-year-old, who played 70 day internationals and 60 T20 internationals but fell out of favor with England selectors, upped his century with a scoop on a point for four at Dan Christian’s bowling alley.
Great Australian cricketer Mark Waugh was delighted with the blow.
“A hundred Alex Hales,” Waugh said on the cover of Fox Cricket.
“From the word ‘go’ he thought about everything. What a round. Well done, great entertainment, great ball.
A highlight of Hales’ innings was when he blew up a delivery of Lloyd Pope for six on the Cow’s Corner, as the “ Random Souths Guy ” took a crowd hold and went wild with triumph.
A South Sydney Rabbitohs jersey has been spotted in ice hockey in Canada, the Mayweather-McGregor box office fight and a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Spain – and a BBL game at Adelaide Oval can be added to the list.
Tonight’s “Sydney Smash” also marked Christian’s 100th appearance at the BBL.
Jono Wells (92), Ben Cutting (91) and Ben Laughlin (91) are next in the standings.
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