Travis Head smashed 18 runs off six balls for the Adelaide Strikers against the Sydney Thunder. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Alex Ross bludgeoned 30 runs off 11 balls — powering Adelaide to 5-119 off 10 overs. Kallis’ Thunder managed 0-18 in reply off one over before rain intervened.

Jason Roy (14 off 6) and Kallis were deprived of a crack at the Strikers’ super competitive total

According to BBL rules, five overs per innings are required to constitute a contest. Only driving rain forced the players off after the first over of the Thunder’s innings bowled by Kane Richardson (0-14).

Alex Ross smashed 30 runs off just 11 balls. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

The Strikers are in second spot and on course for a home final with nine points from six games after the abandoned game. Fifth-placed Hobart Hurricanes have six points from seven games, meaning they can’t overtake Adelaide in the eight-game regular season.

Top placed Perth Scorchers — the only side to beat Adelaide — has 10 points from seven games.

If the Strikers win their next clash against third-placed rival Sydney Sixers on Wednesday they will host a home final.

The top-two teams will stage BBL semi-finals on January 24 and January 25. However in a major insult to the packed 40,000 audiences this season at Strikers home games, the BBL final will be staged at the neutral venue Canberra.

Fans avoid the rain at the Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

“The washout is disappointing for both teams and the fans, but we hope to be home for a semi-final. Ryan ten Doeschate and Alex Ross hit some really clean balls and were impressive,” said Strikers coach Darren Berry.

Australia’s best cricket crowd had come to witness the Strikers book a finals berth and legend Kallis turn it on in the twilight of his career.

Kallis didn’t disappoint, juggling a clever catch to dismiss Jono Dean (7) that took the South African with the rugby frame over the rope before returning to complete the take.

Daniel Roy hit 14 runs in the Sydney Thunder’s only batting over. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

However Adelaide feasted on the bowling of Chris Tremain (2-32), who claimed Craig Simmons (21 off 15) and ten Doeschate (23 off 12) at a heavy cost. Tremain was orbited into the second tier of the western stands twice by Dutchman ten Doeschate and Ross.

Ross cleared the fence twice and Johan Botha (12 off 6) once in a final over off Josh Lalor (1-32) that cost 22 runs.

By contrast, towering Guridner Sandhu (1-7) showed all the tricks that won him selection in Australia’s tri-series squad to face England and India. Sandhu’s assortment of slower balls, bouncers and canny out-swing kept Adelaide to five runs when it was looking to accelerate in the penultimate over.

Travis Head was bowled by Ian Moran for 18. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

Ross’ innings was pivotal after the early loss of in-form opener Tim Ludeman (4) and Dean.

Travis Head thrilled the patient 30,000 crowd with a cameo knock of 18 off six balls — lifting Ian Moran (1-19) into the stands twice.

Ten Doeschate replaced Kieron Pollard as the second international in the Strikers line-up and showed why the Strikers value his clean hitting.

“It was nice to get a few runs, you have to make every ball count,” said ten Doeschate.