Matt Short's highest Twenty20 score and Alex Carey's dynamic return to the BBL propelled the Adelaide Strikers to 6-188 against the Hobart Hurricanes in the Eliminator at the MCG.
Short (89) made a fine comeback from a quad injury, while Carey (67) made a smooth transition to shortest form after playing in Australia's recent 4-0 Test success against England.
The pair put on 145 for the first wicket - the second-best partnership in the strikers' history - on Friday night after the Melbourne Stars hit Wednesday's record-breaking, sword-wielding storm's bowlers for the second time in three days.
Hobart's attack looked strong, with the inclusion of Ashes hero Scott Boland and fellow pacers Riley Meredith and Tom Rogers, but 'Cain' repeatedly disappointed himself with shoddy fielding.
Rogers dropped a sitter when Short was on 15, while Carey was relieved twice in his scintillating innings.
Carey took a back seat before Short took control.
At 57, when he slog-swept D'Arcy Short's googly at long-on, where Caleb Jewel leaped for an athletic one-handed catch, but his right hand touched the boundary cushion.
Short hit six sixes in his 48-ball whirlwind before Will Parker dismissed keeper Ben McDermott.
Through Meredith (2–37) and Rogers (2–37), the Strikers looked on the track for more than 200 before the Hurricane fought late.
Ashes hero Travis Head, in-form Ian Cockbain, Matt Renshaw and Thomas Kelly were all out in single digits as the Strikers lost 6-39 to give the Hurricanes some momentum in the half-way stage.