Carroll, Thornton lead Strikers Academy to five-run win over Hurricanes Academy

Darwin, 26 August 2026: Connor Carroll’s unbeaten 78 and a three-wicket haul from Henry Thornton helped Adelaide Strikers Academy hold off Hobart Hurricanes Academy by five runs in a high-scoring Top End T20 clash at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2 on Wednesday.

The Strikers, who elected to bat, posted 182-2 from their 20 overs before restricting the Hurricanes to 177-8 in a tense finish.

Carroll anchored the Adelaide innings with an unbeaten 78 from 58 balls, striking nine fours and a six. He shared a 99-run opening partnership with Ryan King, who made 52 from 49 deliveries with four fours and three sixes.

King was the first wicket to fall, dismissed by Nivethan Radhakrishnan in the 14th over. Jerrssis Wadia then provided immediate acceleration with 15 from only five balls before Lachlan Bangs finished the innings strongly, making an unbeaten 22 from 11 deliveries.

Radhakrishnan was Hobart’s most economical bowler, taking 1-23 from four overs.

Chasing 183, the Hurricanes remained in contention despite losing Tim Ward for nine early in the innings. Teague Wyllie lifted the chase with 32 from 21 balls, while Nitesh Samuel contributed 29 from 25.

The middle order kept Hobart within striking distance as Bradley Hope made 20 from 14 deliveries and Radhakrishnan added 29 from 22.

Adelaide regained control when Bangs dismissed Wyllie and Hope and Noah McFadyen removed Radhakrishnan. Thornton then made the decisive impact late in the innings.

The fast bowler removed Zac Curtain for four before dismissing Raf MacMillan, who had struck a rapid 17 from eight balls. Caelan Maladay kept the Hurricanes alive with 24 from 14 balls, including two sixes, but Thornton bowled him from the final delivery of the match to complete figures of 3-35.

Hobart needed 15 runs from the final over but finished six short of its target as Adelaide secured two points. Bangs finished with 2-32, while Tim Oakley, Jordan Buckingham and McFadyen took one wicket each.

Scores in brief:

Adelaide Strikers Academy beat Hobart Hurricanes Academy by five runs

Adelaide Strikers Academy 182-2 (Connor Carroll 78 not out, Ryan King 52; Nivethan Radhakrishnan 1-23)

Hobart Hurricanes Academy 177-8 (Teague Wyllie 32, Nitesh Samuel 29, Radhakrishnan 29; Henry Thornton 3-35, Lachlan Bangs 2-32)