Strikers storm 'Gades to lock in home semi

The score: Adelaide Strikers 5-173 (Ingram 68, Head 58, Bravo 2-30) defeated Melbourne Renegades 7-147 (Hodge 30no, Harris 25; Stanlake 2-22) by 26 runs

Match in a tweet: The Strikers secure victory and lock in a home semi-final with an emphatic win over the Renegades! #BBL07

The hero: The Strikers were contained early, before import Colin Ingram provided exactly the acceleration Adelaide needed in the second half of their innings, with his explosive 68 from 36 balls the stand-out batting performance. The South African lived up to his nickname “The Bulldozer” as he tore apart the Renegades bowling attack, belting five sixes and four fours. He shared a pivotal 88-run partnership with captain Travis Head before the latter departed for 58, before being dismissed himself on the penultimate ball of the innings.

The support cast: Strikers captain Head returned to form with a rapid half-century and a crucial partnership with Ingram. Released from the Australian ODI squad for the match, Head helped Adelaide accelerate after a watchful start as he scored 58 from 47, including four boundaries and two maximums. Fellow Aussie ODI squad member Alex Carey was also handy in his return, scoring 32 from 24 and taking a hat-trick of catches.

The consolation effort: The chase was out of the Renegades’ reach, but veteran Brad Hodge provided some late highlights of a blazing 30no from just 18 deliveries. His innings featured three sixes, including one that sailed right onto the top deck of Etihad Stadium.

The classic catch: Strikers Ben Laughlin and Jake Weatherald pulled off one of the all-time great boundary catches to send Dwayne Bravo on his way, with their unbelievable efforts handing Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan his second wicket of the evening – and weren’t the commentators up and about!

The ball: Renegades fill-in captain Cameron White was released from Australian ODI duties to play in the match and he loomed as a key to the home side chasing down Adelaide’s hefty total. He’d worked his way to 17 from 23 deliveries in the 13th over when he fell victim to Rashid khan’s wrong’un, leaving the Renegades 3-70.

The ‘keeper’s catch: Strikers wicketkeeper Alex Carey was released from the Australian ODI squad for the crucial match and played several key hands for his team. First, he scored a handy 32 from 24, then he took a brilliant high catch to dismiss Renegades danger man Marcus Harris.

The watch: Replacement international Kieron Pollard scored 18 from 12, but the real talking point was his choice of accessories for his first appearance for the Renegades.

The Fantasy stars: Colin Ingram ($60,600) led the way with 88 points, joined by Strikers teammates Alex Carey ($91,700) with 80 and Billy Stanlake ($70,400) with 69.

The next stops: The Renegades travel to Canberra, where they’ll take on Sydney Thunder on Wednesday, while the Strikers – who have now secured a home semi-final at Adelaide Oval next week – play Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Thursday.