Gayle fireworks can't save 'Gades

The match in a tweet: Gades gone! Thunder through after Strikers survive Gayle's world record whirlwind to record comfortable win #BBL05

Watch: Gayle's 12-ball 50

The hero: It's not often a batsman makes a duck and is named the hero of the match. But this was no ordinary match. After the Strikers made 5-170, the Renegades needed 171 from 16 overs to reach the finals ahead of the Thunder. Then Chris Gayle went absolutely berserk (more on that below) to make that a very realistic possibility. Enter Travis Head. The young gun may have been basking in the glory of his Australia T20 call-up when he was dismissed for nought, but a brave Brad Hodge backed his part-time off-spinner with the ball. Sure enough, he delivered, removing Cameron White, Dwayne Bravo and ... drum roll please ... Gayle within his first three overs to all but end the contest.

Watch: Head's three wickets 

The record: OK, onto Gayle. It was always going to take a Gayle special to make a contest out of this, but this was something extra special. World record special, in fact. No player has hit a T20 half-century faster - in 12 chaotic deliveries, Gayle equalled the mark set by Yuvraj Singh back at the 2007 World T20. It was poor bowling from the Strikers, who were uncharacteristic in their inability to find their lines and lengths, however it was astonishing batting; Gayle, the greatest T20 batsman we've seen, muscled seven sixes between long on and backward square to set Etihad Stadium alight. Yuvraj hit Stuart Broad for six sixes during his memorable fifty, and while no bowler suffered that fate today, there was one unlucky individual (see below).

The victim: Young Greg West took a couple of wickets during a promising debut last week, but tonight he ran into a Gayle storm. Handed the ball by Hodge to bowl the first over of the innings, West was hammered to all parts by Gayle, his final four deliveries going for 6,6,6,6 as he leaked 27 from the over and gave the Renegades hope.

Watch: Gayle's fours sixes in a row

The support cast: Brad Hodge's 37no off 21 rescued the Strikers after they'd lost 4-22 to slip to 4-107. The veteran continued his fine BBL|05 with another key contribution, while openers Jono Dean (48) and Tim Ludeman (49) also played crucial hands. Michael Neser also took 2-15 and found impressive movement early, and Adil Rashid (1-21) and Jon Holland (2-24) helped put the match to bed.

Watch: Hodge continues strong form

The consolation effort: Aside from Gayle, hats off to Cameron Gannon and Nathan Rimmington, who did their utmost with the bat to keep their side alive. Xavier Doherty helped the Renegades early with two wickets, and Tremain, Rimmington and Gannon all claimed one wicket apiece.

The stat: Rashid's wicket means he ends the tournament with 15 to finish the leading wicket-taker in BBL|05.

The wash-up: All over for the Renegades, whose disappointing season ends on a spectacular, if ultimately unsuccessful, note. It's onwards and upwards for the Strikers, who now play the Thunder at what will doubtless be a packed-out Adelaide Oval. 

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