Strikers confirmed to host first BBL semi
Jan 14, 2016 - 8:34 AM The Adelaide Strikers will host the first Big Bash League semi-final on January 21, regardless of whether they finish first or second, Cricket Australia says.The Strikers' last-ball win over the Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday night at Adelaide Oval cemented them a top-two position and the right to host a home semi.
The Adelaide public has turned out in huge numbers to support their BBL club, with sold-out crowds of almost 50,000 attending the Striker's past three home matches.
Should the Strikers make it through to host the BBL final on January 24, it will coincide with the final stage of the Tour Down Under cycling race through the heart of Adelaide, which includes a lap around Adelaide Oval on King William Terrace.
While Jake Lehmann's final-ball six has received much of the media attention following Wednesday's dramatic win, Strikers captain Brad Hodge has heaped praise on Adil Rashid's sublime legspin.
Hodge said the England bowler had the potential to wreak havoc on the global stage and could prove a handful for Australia at the upcoming World T20.
"He's actually a superstar, to be honest," Hodge said.
"He's going to be tough work for the Aussies in the T20 World Cup. At least they get a good look at him here but he's pretty good."
Playing in his first BBL season, his 14 wickets have come at 6.32 runs per over, placing him among the tournament's most deadly and efficient bowlers.
He impressed again in the Strikers' nail-biting win over the Hurricanes, ripping through the defence of a hapless Jon Wells with a magnificent wrong'un to finish with 2-16 off four overs.
Rashid's performance has left English cricket fans salivating at the prospect of him doing similar damage for the national side at the World T20.
But he's not getting ahead of himself.
"That's still a long way away," he told AAP.
"I don't really look too far into the future or what it holds for me.
"At this moment in time, all I want to do is perform in the Big Bash for the Strikers and hopefully take them all the way to a trophy."
Rashid was part of England's World T20 squad in 2009 but struggled to make an impact, taking three wickets in four matches.
The Yorkshire product was overlooked for the next three tournaments but returned to the national T20 squad last year.
Now aged 27, Rashid looks poised to lock down his spot.
Source: AAP
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