Friday's humbling at the Sydney Showground Stadium came at the hands of the Adelaide Strikers, who had briefly been concerned their 139-9 would come under threat.
Instead, it turned into a rout as the Thunder made a shocking start and failed to recover, with Brendan Doggett their top scorer with four runs, hitting the only boundary of the innings.
Doggett was the last man out as the home team were dismissed in 5.5 overs, with paceman Henry Thornton completing bowling figures of 5-3 in 2.5 overs. Fellow quick Wes Agar weighed in with 4-6 from two overs.
Thornton suggested he might as well retire on the back of his five-wicket feat in the 124-run victory, because he would never top the experience.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Thornton said: "I honestly cannot believe what just happened. Everyone here probably doesn't know what's going on either.
"It was amazing. We thought they bowled really well, considering what the wicket was doing, and we thought if we hung in there long enough we'd create chances.
"That's unbelievable. We thought if we bowled at the top of the stumps... we'd be in the game.
"We're really happy. I'm really happy for Wes, he bowled really well tonight, super disciplined, and yeah, great performance.
"Honestly, I'm shocked, I can't believe it."
Thunder openers Alex Hales and Matthew Gilkes both fell for ducks, and Thornton had been expecting middle-order batter Daniel Sams to be a threat with the bat, but he made only one run.
"They're an amazing team. Halesy is a great player and Samsy down the lower order as well," Thornton said. "We thought if we got to 150-plus we'd be in the game, and it was enough I guess.
"I feel like I need to retire now, I don't think I'm getting better than that. That was an amazing game of cricket, so I'm really happy, and the mood around the crew's great, so I couldn't be happier."
Team-mate Chris Lynn top-scored with 36 in Adelaide's innings, and Lynn was wearing the on-field TV microphone as the Sydney wickets tumbled.
"I suppose you just soak it all up," Lynn said at the end of the match.
"Fifteen! I don't know what to say. Everyone's looking, laughing and giggling away. We play them in a couple of days' time down in Adelaide. It's a momentum booster, but hopefully there'll be a few scars there and we can go back-to-back.
"I'm a bit sort of 'what's going on?'."
Sydney's score was 42 worse than the previous lowest in BBL history, the 57 record by the Melbourne Renegades against the Melbourne Stars in 2015.
The Australia star sent all three of the balls he faced to the boundary to get his side over the line with eight balls remaining.
It came after the Strikers had posted a sub-par 135 all out on home soil, Jake Weatherald (47) and Alex Carey (32) the only men to do any real damage with the bat.
Although no Sixers players could match either of those efforts, Hazlewood was one of seven to reach double figures in a more robust team innings.
HAZLEWOOD CELEBRATES IN STYLE
The Sixers were ahead of the rate but running out of wickets when Hazlewood came to the crease with eight down.
Unflustered by the precarious situation, Hazlewood set about ruining former Australia team-mate Peter Siddle's bowling figures in the penultimate over.
Having got on strike in the second ball of Siddle's set, Hazlewood quickly got into the groove and cut his mate to the rope for the first of three fours on the bounce.
It was a fitting way to celebrate his 29th birthday, with his bowling figures of 1-19 off four overs proving pretty useful, too.
JAKE CAN'T WEATHER THE STORM
Weatherald's knock made him the game's top scorer, but it came in a losing effort.
He played fluently in a 31-ball innings that featured seven fours and a maximum before Tom Curran's superb yorker brought the Weatherald show to a close, the bowler posting figures of 4-22.
His departure put the brakes on Adelaide's progress as nobody down the order could match Weatherald's strike rate.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
It may not have been the plan, but the Sixers ended up sharing the runs around in pursuit of what was a pretty modest target.
James Vince's 27 was the biggest contribution, with Curran rounding out a superb day by adding 21 with the bat.
It was Curran's dismissal, Harry Conway's yorker giving him a taste of his own medicine, that led to Hazlewood's introduction and he put the icing on the cake.
The Sydney Sixers Women won the toss and elected to bat, posting 152-2 from their 20 overs thanks to a brilliant 67-ball 82 not out from New Zealander Suzie Bates. Her knock included eight fours and two sixes. Sixers captain Ellyse Perry supported well with 58 from 44 deliveries including five fours and two sixes. Dottin took 0-21 from her three overs.
With the bat, Dottin was the second highest scorer of the innings with a 16-ball 25 including one four and three sixes as the Strikers were restricted to 134-9 from their 20 overs. Aussie Katie Mack top-scored with 34 while South African Laura Wolvaardt added 22 against English left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone’s brilliant 4-17 off four overs.
Dottin announced her retirement from international cricket in August.
The Strikers posted 147-5 after winning the toss and batting first thanks to a top score of 52 not out from Dottin. Her knock came off 37 balls and included six fours and two sixes.
Australian opener Katie Mack also made 31 as English left arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone picked up two wickets for the Sixers.
With the ball, Dottin produced a crucial spell of 2-30 from her four overs, including the wicket of player of the tournament Ashleigh Gardner for a four-ball duck, to set up the win for her team.
Pacer Darcie Brown also took two wickets as the Sixers were restricted bowled out for 137 in 20 overs.
Dottin was named player of the match.
Sporting leagues across the world are at various stages in plotting their return from a widespread hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Germany, the Bundesliga will come back this weekend, while Australia's NRL is slated for a May 28 return.
Cricket in Australia has a little more time to play with as a summer sport, but Gillespie – who coaches Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, along with English county side Sussex – is realistic over the need to play without fans initially if possible.
"Let's face it, the reason why sports want to have their various sports behind closed doors is TV money," he told Stats Perform. "A lot of sports are on the brink, financially they're struggling, and that television money is vital to the survival of the various codes.
"I'm not against it. Ideally, we want sports to be played with the crowds but, if the only option is to play behind closed doors with TV and radio and the like then I'm for that. That's better than no sport.
"I'm very conscious of the fact that it needs to be done safely – the health of the players. And it's not just the players, behind the scenes there is still going to be a production. There are a swathe of people around who will need to be looked after.
"But if we can play sport safely, then I'm all for it."
One of cricket's unique quirks looks set to become problematic in these changing times – namely the use of saliva and sweat to maintain the condition and shine of the ball.
Fielding sides engage in this practice to give pace bowlers a better chance of achieving swing, although it would now throw up obvious health and safety concerns.
As one of his generation's finest seam bowlers, Gillespie believes the art of maintaining the ball must remain but feels umpires could have a role to play.
"It's a really tough one. To give the bowlers half a chance of creating some movement through the air the ball needs to be maintained," he explained.
"I know there's been lots of discussions about what's the best way to do that.
"At the moment in cricket, if there's some dirt on the ball, you can go to the umpire and under his supervision remove that dirt.
"I wonder if there could be a law that can be brought in for this time. Whether it's a substance I don't know. Under the supervision of the umpires, maybe at the start or the end of each over to maintain the shine on the ball.
"I'm sure that's something that the law makers will look at. It's a really tough one. I'm not sure I have an answer but that's the only thing I can think that could be done, as legally and as safely as possible."
Kookaburra – the Australian company that manufacturers the balls predominantly used in international cricket around the world – announced last week they had developed a "unique wax formula" that could be applied by umpires in place of traditional shining methods.
However, this would require a change to the laws of the game, which prohibit the application of any artificial substance to the ball.
The hosts were dominant in Brisbane as James Pattinson starred with the ball, claiming a five-for as Adelaide failed to bat out their 20 overs.
Left with such a meagre total to chase, the Heat initially toiled as they lost two early wickets, but Matt Renshaw and BBL debutant AB de Villiers' 77-run partnership took the game away from the visitors.
The result moves the Heat above the Strikers and into fourth.
PATTINSON FIVE-FOR STRANGLES STRIKERS
Each of the top five Strikers batsmen fell to Pattinson, who may not have been the most economic of the bowlers, but he was certainly the most dangerous.
Having posted 0-52 on his BBL return against Perth Scorchers at the weekend, the Australian went for 33 on Tuesday but also tallied up his victims.
Jonathan Wells (14) was the only top-order batsman to make it into double figures as the Strikers fluffed their lines badly in the powerplay.
Rashid Khan's 28 down the order was the best contribution, but when Liam O'Connor was the last man out without scoring, it was clear Adelaide had come up well short of a competitive total.
DE VILLIERS AND RENSHAW GET A GRIP
Perhaps there was an element of complacency in the way the Heat set about their very modest chase.
Captain Chris Lynn went for a golden duck and Max Bryant followed him after a brisk 10 from five balls.
It needed Renshaw (52) and De Villiers to get a hold on things, with the latter falling for 40 and leaving Joe Burns (10) to come in and help finish the job with 28 balls to spare.
The Sixers, beaten semi-finalists last season, made it five wins from seven outings, after limiting the Strikers to 176-6 and chasing down the target with three balls to spare.
Adelaide failed to fully capitalise on a promising start, having been 53-1 after five overs, with Josh Hazlewood's miserly spell proving pivotal.
Philippe then starred with the bat, while Justin Avendano (47) also caught the eye, and Tom Curran finished the job in style in a match that saw a comical dismissal for Matthew Short.
HAZLEWOOD HALTS STRIKERS
Adelaide looked well placed to make a big score after a fast start but Hazlewood had other ideas.
Despite taking only one wicket – that of Strikers captain Alex Carey (29) – his four-over spell was key as he conceded just 18 runs.
That stood in stark contrast to the economy rates of three of his fellow bowlers, with Ben Dwarshuis, Lloyd Pope and Curran all in double figures.
SHORT'S SHORT INNINGS ENDS IN COMEDY OF ERRORS
The 14th over of the Strikers' innings saw two wickets fall, with one playing out in the manner of a slapstick comedy.
After Cameron White had holed out on 18 while in search of a six, Short followed him back to the pavilion without facing a ball.
Standing at the non-striker's end as Jonathan Wells flicked a stroke towards square leg, Short saw an opportunity for two runs, then changed his mind... then changed it again when there was a misfield.
By the time he changed his mind for a third time he was halfway down the pitch and he was then short of his ground when he was run out, even though wicketkeeper Philippe appeared to lose his grip on the ball as he whipped off the bails.
What Wells, who finished 40 not out in a losing effort, must have made of all this as he stood safely in his crease is anyone's guess.
PHILIPPE CUTS LOOSE
Philippe was aggressive from the outset in a 52-ball knock that yielded five fours and four sixes.
Avendano joined him for a 72-run opening partnership that put the Sixers firmly on course, but the best strike rate belonged to Curran.
Coming in late and with a job still to be done, Curran faced just three balls but scored 10 runs, sealing the win with a six.
Buoyed by solid efforts of 66 and 56 in his previous two outings, Wade found an entirely new level on Sunday, toying with the Strikers bowlers as he hit an unbeaten 130 off 61 balls, a career-best T20 score.
Wade's previous best in the shorter format was 88, but he went well beyond that in a team total of 217-1, setting Adelaide a daunting victory target.
The Strikers came up short, finishing eight wickets down.
The result means the Hurricanes will play the Eliminator against either Sydney Thunder or Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League finals, while Adelaide must face the winner of that contest after missing out on the chance to finish second.
UNTOUCHABLE WADE DAZZLES
Wade produced an innings for the ages at the Adelaide Oval.
In total, he hit 11 fours and seven sixes from 61 balls of pure mastery, as the 32-year-old left the Strikers looking clueless, particularly when knocking three successive boundaries off Wes Agar in the 17th over.
It was Wade's maiden T20 century, and the second-highest innings in Big Bash history, only trailing Marcus Stoinis' stunning unbeaten 147 from earlier this month.
As impressive as Wade was, he did not do it all alone – on another day D'Arcy Short might have been the man of the moment with his applaudable 72, as the pair's 203 partnership was only four adrift of the Big Bash record.
Their stand almost lasted the entire innings, but Short eventually fell in the penultimate over taken at long-on after not quite getting enough on Michael Neser's delivery, allowing Phil Salt to catch.
STRIKERS JUST FALL SHORT
Although the Hurricanes set a hefty total to chase, the Strikers seemed to be on track until the seventh over, with Salt and Travis Head posting a solid 79-run partnership following the early fall of Jake Weatherald in the second over – Macalister Wright taking the catch from Clive Rose's delivery.
The Strikers certainly piled the pressure on towards the end, with Alex Carey (39) and Jonathan Wells (15) hitting five boundaries between them in seven balls across the 15th and 16th overs.
But the commendable death skills of James Faulkner (1-35) and Nathan Ellis (2-36) upset the Strikers' flow, toppling Rashid Khan (eight), Carey (39), Matthew Short (six) and Neser (nine) in the final three overs.
Adam Zampa’s five-wicket haul was also instrumental to the Stars victory that moved them up to sixth in the Big Bash League table.
The Grenadian whose best score before Thursday was 18 against the Thunder on December 29, blasted an unbeaten 89 as the Stars racked up 179 for 2 in their 20 overs. The Spiceman smashed eight fours and four sixes in his 49-ball knock.
His 50 had come up from just 36 balls and included four fours and a six.
He featured in partnerships of 41 with fellow opener Marcus Stoinis (13); 61 with Glen Maxwell (39), and 77 with Hilton Cartwright, who remained unbeaten on 30 at the end.
Cameron Valente and Danny Briggs were the best of the Adelaide bowlers each returning figures of 1 for 36 from their respective four-over allotments.
Adelaide needing 180 to win, slumped to 68 all out in just 14.2 overs as Zampa took 5 for 17, Glen Maxwell, 2-12 and Zahir Khan 2-19 to seal the comprehensive victory.
Matt Renshaw (20), Johnathan Wells (18) and Jake Weatherald (10) were the only Adelaide batsmen to get to double figures.
Jess Duffin hit 54 and Harmanpreet Kaur 45 as the Renegades made 148-5 off their 20 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
Tammy Beaumont also contributed 26 at the top while skipper Matthews made a first ball duck, continuing a lean run of form so far this season with just one score over 30 in her eight innings.
The five wickets were shared among five different Strikers bowlers.
Katie Mack (24), Laura Woldvaart (28), Tahlia McGrath (26), Bridget Patterson (36) and Danielle Gibson (17) then all got starts to help the Strikers reach 149-4 off 19 overs.
Georgia Prestwidge took 2-19 from her four overs while Matthews took 1-24 from her three overs.
The Renegades will next take on the Perth Scorchers on Saturday.
The Renegades, who tasted defeat in their season opener against the Brisbane Heat, posted 167-3 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Strikers.
The opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and captain Hayley Matthews put on just 19 before the West Indian went for 12 in the third over.
Beaumont and number three batter Josephine Dooley added 51 for the second wicket before Beaumont went for 30 in the ninth over.
One over later, Dooley fell for 23 to leave the Renegades 74-3.
An unbroken 93-run fourth wicket stand between Harmanpreet Kaur and Courtney Webb then propelled the Renegades to their total.
Webb led the way with a 34-ball 49* while Kaur ended 43* off 33 balls.
Zimbabwean Anesu Mushangwe was the Strikers most economical bowler with 1-21 in her four overs.
The Strikers then lasted just 14.5 overs before they were bowled out for 86.
Only skipper Talia McGrath (31), Laura Woldvaart (14) and Danielle Gibson (10) were able to reach double-figures.
Hayley Matthews (2-20 from three overs), Ella Hayward (2-18 from four overs), Georgia Wareham (2-23 from three overs) and Harmanpreet Kaur (2-11 from 1.5 overs) all played a part in the bowling effort.
After Strikers skipper Travis Head (79 from 40 balls) had lifted his side to an imposing total of 186-5, Miller threatened to pull off a dramatic rescue act in Launceston on Sunday.
The South Africa batsman, who had made just 91 runs in his previous nine innings in the competition, plundered eight fours and five sixes in a 48-ball innings that kept Hobart in the hunt after a slow start to their chase.
However, the Hurricanes were still left with too much to do. They required 21 off the final over, bowled by Peter Siddle, and could only manage 10 runs as they finished on 176-6.
Adelaide are now up to second in the table, but yet another defeat leaves Hobart staring at likely elimination.
MILLER DROP PROVES COSTLY
Although he finally found form with the bat, Miller was guilty of missing a significant chance when Adelaide batted.
Head had only 21 to his name when he dragged Qais Ahmad to Miller at deep square-leg, but the fielder failed to take the opportunity.
The Hurricanes were left to rue the dropped chance as Head accelerated superbly, receiving fine support from Jono Wells (45 not out).
Matt Short also made a valuable contribution late in the Strikers innings with an unbeaten 33 from 20 deliveries.
AGAR AND SIDDLE SEAL VICTORY
Michael Neser removed Matthew Wade in the first over of the Hobart reply, before Wes Agar and Siddle took centre stage.
Agar picked up four of the other five wickets to fall on his way to career-best figures of 4-33, while Siddle (1-26 from four overs) was key in ensuring the required rate spiralled beyond the Hurricanes' control.
With Miller in the groove, Hobart still looked to have a slim chance at the start of the last over, but the vastly experienced Siddle held his nerve.
The Heat were stunningly bowled out for 100 in their innings at The Adelaide Oval, Matt Renshaw (43) and captain Chris Lynn (26) the only players to reach double figures.
Adelaide reached the modest target of 101 with 9.1 overs to spare, Salt and Jake Weatherald (33) securing their biggest BBL win ever by balls remaining.
They are third in the table with 11 points from 10 games. Brisbane are a point behind them in fifth.
BRISBANE FAIL TO HEAT UP
The visitors' innings never got going, and the Heat were two down inside the first four overs when AB de Villiers (2) was taken at deep square.
Lynn and Renshaw's stand of 35 briefly steadied the ship, but when the former went to Liam O'Connor (3-30) the Heat fell apart.
Renshaw found nothing in the way of support as a talented attack featuring Michael Neser and Rashid Khan along with Peter Siddle ripped through the Brisbane line-up.
PHIL WORTH HIS SALT
Salt has struggled for form since his half century against the Melbourne Renegades on December 29.
However, the opener proved his worth with an excellent display of ball striking.
He hit five fours and five sixes in a superb showing, with Weatherald - who found the rope six times - more than playing his part as Adelaide eased to a victory that was fittingly sealed with a Salt maximum.
The Strikers scored 66 from the final five overs after a sedate start, with Wells (58 off 38) and Short (41 off 28) combining for 80 runs to help set a competitive total of 173-6 at the Adelaide Oval.
It was a score the Renegades, Big Bash League champions last season, never got near with only Beau Webster (49) and Shaun Marsh (21) making double figures in a risible chase.
Siddle (3-14) was chief protagonist, while Travis Head (2-26) - playing his first BBL game of the season - did early damage and Rashid Khan (2-19) also played an influential role in bowling the visitors out for 110.
The Strikers move third in the table, while the Renegades are 0-9 in an awful defence of their title.
WELLS AND SHORT STEP UP
Phil Salt (18), Jake Weatherald (27) and Head (22) all failed to build on starts and the Strikers were 81-4 when Harry Nielsen (4) trudged back in the 11th over.
But Wells upped the ante, with his knock including five fours and a six, while Short slogged three straight over the ropes in his innings.
It was a partnership that boosted the Strikers at the right time, with each member of the Renegades attack taking a wicket bar Dan Christian.
SIDDLE SINKS RENEGADES
The Renegades were up against it right from the off, with Head sweeping up Marcus Harris (4) in the very first over.
The sensational Siddle cleared up Sam Harper (5) from his first set of six and Marsh's promise was ended by the dangerous Head.
Rashid kept things tight and earned his reward with the wicket of Mohammad Nabi (6) before also ending the valiant resistance of Webster, who clobbered 49 off 33.
Siddle then accounted for Samit Patel (8) and Christian (2), with the rest of the Renegades tail unable to stop the rot.
Set a meagre 152 for victory on Saturday, the Strikers were cruising towards a comfortable victory before Daniel Sams (3-26) and Chris Morris (2-22) instigated the loss of five wickets for 24 runs.
Star batsman Alex Hales top scored with 59 for the Thunder, who finished four points behind Adelaide on the ladder but will now face the Melbourne Stars in a do-or-die challenger clash on Thursday.
The winner of that match will advance to face the Sydney Sixers in the February 8 final at the SCG.
HALES GIVES THUNDER HOPE
Usman Khawaja's early exit and the loss of Callum Ferguson inside six overs could have derailed the Thunder before their innings began to take shape.
Hales had other ideas and, like he has done so regularly in the tournament, gave his team crucial quick runs at the top of the order.
The destructive England opener hammered six fours and four sixes to record his fourth half-century in five innings while dominating a 51-run stand with Alex Ross (12).
Arjun Nair (18) and all-rounder Morris (21) made handy contributions lower down the order to build a competitive total, but the Thunder would surely have been bundled out if not for their key man.
STRIKERS SQUANDER WINNING POSITION
Phil Salt's departure in the opening over of the chase failed to prevent the Strikers from making a confident start in front of an expectant Adelaide Oval crowd.
Travis Head entered and struck a quickfire 32 before Alex Carey (28) and Jonathan Wells (34) came together and produced what looked to be a match-winning partnership worth 50 runs.
Then, however, came the collapse. Australia international Carey was run out after gambling on a quick single and the promotion of Rashid Khan failed to pay dividends as he looped a catch out to deep square two balls later.
When Morris pinned Matt Short in front for a duck, the Strikers had lost three wickets for two runs and undone their good work.
TREMAIN FLAILS BUT THUNDER PREVAIL
Adelaide's implosion was only matched by that of Thunder bowler Chris Tremain, who sent down three wides in a wretched 16-run 18th over that left the door ajar.
Sams made amends, conceding five runs and removing both Michael Neser and Peter Siddle the following over.
Morris then extracted a thin edge from Wells, the Strikers' famed finisher, to all but end the contest at the beginning of the 20th.
Key contributors Sams and Hales combined to let a high ball go to ground but the damage was done as the Thunder kept alive their hopes of a second BBL title.
Coming in a number-five Taylor scored a 48-ball 60 that included seven fours and a six rescuing Adelaide from a precarious 26 for 4 and hauling them to a respectable 127 for 9 before being last out on the penultimate ball of the innings.
Only Amanda-Jade Wellington, who scored 21 from 22 balls, scored any runs of note to support the Jamaica and West Indies captain. Together they put on 43 for the fifth wicket which helped Adelaide recover somewhat from a disastrous start as Sophie Molineux (3 for 20) and Rosemarie Mair (2 for 14) wreaked havoc on Adelaide’s line up.
Needing 128 for victory, the Renegades got off to an equally bad start and were 12 for 3 after four overs.
Molineux was run out by a direct hit from Sarah Coyte at mid-off, Lizelle Lee was lbw trying to sweep Megan Schutt and Amy Satterthwaite, having made 1 off 10 balls, was bowled swiping at Darcie Brown whose four overs went for just 12 runs.
Georgia Wareham (42) and Courtney Webb (14) rebuilt, but Wareham's departure in the 14th over made it tough for the Renegades. However, Carly Leeson, who got 31, took 19 off the penultimate over to make things interesting but it eventually, the Renegades needed nine from three balls. It turned out to be a bridge too far.
Coyte (2-21) was the best of the Adelaide bowlers.
Unwanted history was made by the Thunder when they were all out for just 15 in the Big Bash League on Friday, the lowest total ever recorded in men's professional T20 cricket.
Unsurprisingly, they lost that game at the Sydney Showground Stadium to the Strikers, who had set a target of 140.
All eyes were on the Thunder to see if they could respond when the two teams met again in Adelaide, and an ironic cheer went up from the home fans as openers Alex Hales and Matthew Gilkes went past 15 after just two-and-a-half overs.
T20 World Cup winner Hales went on to hit 68 from 50 balls, including six fours and three sixes, while Ollie Davies added 42 from 30 as the Thunder posted a far more respectable total of 150-5 from their 20 overs, exactly 10 times as many as last week.
It was not enough, though. Jake Weatherald fell early for Adelaide in their chase, but they were rarely troubled after that as Matt Short (65) was ably supported by 28 each from Chris Lynn and Adam Hose (not out).
Despite a late run out of Colin de Grandhomme, the Strikers eased to the target with six wickets and eight balls to spare to maintain their winning start to the season, while the Thunder have won just one of their four matches.
Jono Wells was instrumental to the Strikers' 162-4, sharing in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 71 with Matthew Short, before the duo of Peter Siddle and Rashid Khan frustrated the Stars' batsmen with the ball.
The win saw Adelaide move above Sydney Sixers in the table, both sides on 15 points, five behind the Stars.
Wells' knock gave the home side's innings much-needed impetus after Phil Salt, Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey all got starts without going beyond 40.
The Tasmanian hit two sixes and four fours in a 36-ball 55 which, alongside Short's 23, gave the Adelaide bowlers something to work with.
Michael Neser and Siddle immediately applied the pressure, with the latter also claiming the prize wicket of BBL top run-scorer Marcus Stoinis (5) after he mistimed a drive towards long-on and was snaffled by Salt.
And the Stars were put further on the back foot when Rashid bowled the dangerous Nic Maddinson with his second ball.
Wes Agar accounted for Nick Larkin and Glenn Maxwell and Neser snared Seb Gotch, with Adelaide always seemingly in control.
However, Peter Handscomb (65 not out) helped the Stars reach the final over requiring 22 to complete a remarkable win.
Home skipper Travis Head turned to veteran Siddle and he saw the Strikers home with two wickets as Melbourne were restricted to 151-8.
Handy Hinchliffe
Clint Hinchliffe's left-arm spin had only reaped five wickets in the BBL this season but he was the Stars' best bowler while the more established Daniel Worrall and Adam Zampa struggled.
Hinchliffe took 3-19, including a sharp caught and bowled to remove Weatherald, to keep the Strikers top order from cutting loose.
Head Boy ends the 'Big Show'
Melbourne's best chance of chasing down the Adelaide total rested on the shoulders of Maxwell.
But the 'Big Show' failed to wow the crowds as he holed out to Head off the bowling of Agar for 19.
Super Siddle shows he's still got it
The pressure was on Siddle at the beginning and end of the Melbourne innings and he delivered both times, finishing with figures of 4-33 from his four overs.
The former Australia international cleverly varied his length and pace and proved far too wily for the Stars line-up.
Phil Salt's second half-century in his last four games helped the Strikers to 181-5 from their 20 overs, with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head making 35 apiece at Optus Stadium.
That target proved to be well beyond the hosts despite a magnificent knock from Liam Livingstone (79), Agar taking 3-36.
Adelaide are second in the table and will not have to contest the eliminator round of the play-offs. The Scorchers are fourth and can secure a place in the playoffs with a win over Sydney Thunder on Sunday.
SALT SHAKES UP SCORCHERS ATTACK
Opener Salt hit seven boundaries and a pair of maximums in his 31-ball 59, putting on 71 for the opening wicket with Weatherald.
Alex Carey and Head kept the scoreboard ticking with a stand of 43 off 28 balls and Jono Wells' contribution ensured the Strikers had plenty to defend.
A dozen of Wells' 23 runs off 16 balls came via him finding the rope, and those boundaries proved valuable as the Scorchers came up short in response.
LIVINGSTONE GIVES SCORCHERS HOPE
The Scorchers' top runs scorer in the BBL this season, Livingstone frequently threatened the rafters as he kept the hosts' hopes alive.
The English opener struck seven sixes in his explosive 54-ball knock and showed the ability to do so in unorthodox fashion, with ramp and hook shots sent sailing for six.
However, when man of the match Wes Agar ended his remarkable innings the prospect of a Scorchers victory went with him as they went from 115-5 to finishing on 165-7.
WES WINS BATTLE OF AGARS
Wes Agar also removed opener Josh Inglis and Scorchers captain Mitchell Marsh as he finished with figures of 3-36, ensuring he got the better of his brother Ashton Agar in the process.
Older sibling Ashton Agar took 2-29, dismissing openers Weatherald and Salt, and was unbeaten on 10 with the bat.
He still ended up on the losing side despite his admirable efforts, but was all smiles as he congratulated his younger brother after the match.
