Jayawardene was named Man of the Match for his knock of 53

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Mahela Jayawardene, Tim Ludeman and Travis Head all made half-centuries as the Adelaide Strikers demolished the Brisbane Heat by eight wickets.

The Strikers’ victory puts them back on top of the Big Bash League (BBL) standings, while the Heat remain rooted at the bottom and now have no chance of being crowned champions.

Strikers captain Brad Hodge would have been content with his decision to bowl first early on as his side pegged back the Heat with wickets at regular intervals.

However, wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson was the Heat’s star player as he scored 51 off 36 balls, which included two boundaries and three sixes.

Peirson made a gutsy 51

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Peirson was well supported by Nathan Reardon and skipper Chris Lynn, who made 40 not out and 34 respectively as the Heat finished on 175/6 off their 20 overs.

Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Head, Michael Neser and Ben Laughlin took one wicket apiece.

Chasing 176 to win, the Strikers got off to an excellent start as Jayawardene and Ludeman amassed an 86-run partnership, during which Jayawardene brought up his half-century despite injuring his hamstring early on in his innings.

Jayawardene ended up making 53 off 30 balls, which included five boundaries and three sixes, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Samuel Badree.

Ludeman and Head kept the runs flowing with a 71-run stand, during which both batsmen registered their half-centuries, before Head was dismissed by Ben Cutting for 50 off 25 deliveries, which included one boundary and four sixes.

Head hit one boundary and four sixes during his innings of 50

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Ludeman ended up making 57 not out, which came off 49 balls and included five boundaries, as he and Hodge mopped up the remaining runs to lead the Strikers to a comfortable win.

Ludeman finished unbeaten on 57

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Badree and Cutting claimed one wicket each.

Jayawardene was named Man of the Match.