Adelaide Striker Tim Ludeman has smashed the fastest 50 in Big Bash League history to help down the Melbourne Stars by 8 wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
English import Kevin Pietersen got the Stars off to a great start, hitting 66 runs from 46 balls including 2 boundaries and 4 sixes. Enjoying banter with commentators throughout the match, ‘KP’ was not denying that he would enjoy the opportunity to play for England in the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
Pietersen found some good support in the Stars innings by countryman Luke Wright who hit a solid 45 from 37 deliveries including 7 boundaries.
The Stars were restricted to 7/148 by some tight bowling by Kane Richardson (2/20) and Ben Laughlin (2/34) who along with captain Johan Botha and Adam Zampa kept the wickets flowing and the run rate stunted.
Nothing could have prepared the Melbourne Stars for what was coming. Tim Ludeman devastated the bowlers with the fastest 50 in BBL history. He hit 52 off 18 balls including 5 fours and 4 sixes.
All the promoters were pumping up the inclusion of Kieran Pollard, but it was the Ludeman show. His innings negating the need for the big-hitting Pollard as the run chase was completed well ahead of schedule.
Striking out at an unbeaten 209.09, Ludeman raised the bar to unprecedented heights for the home side as they defeated the Stars for the first time in their history.
Craig Simmons supported well hitting 30 from 15 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) and helping the Strikers to a 0/83 run opening from only 5.3 overs.
The loss of his wicket brought in Tim Head who rotated the strike and shared the responsibility wisely with Ludeman. With one run required, Head went for glory and was caught by Pietersen at point for 22 from 15 balls.
The Adelaide Strikers momentous victory before their home fans left commentators with little to say. The Stars were smashed and few players featured in what was an entertainingly brief glimpse of a cricket match.
