'Crazy stuff': Cricket world stunned by 'amazing' act

Dan Christian has claimed a little slice of Big Bash history after an incredible batting display that has left fans in a frenzy.

The veteran Sydney Sixers batsman smashed the second-fastest 50 in BBL history to guide his side to an impressive 38-run win over the Adelaide Strikers at Blundstone Arena on Sunday night.

Christian needed just 15 deliveries to bring up his half century after an extraordinary exhibition of big-hitting for the Sixers.

Remarkably, he was still several balls short of Chris Gayle's record for the fastest half century in the BBL - with the West Indies great taking just 12 balls to accomplish the feat in BBL05.

Christian's brutal 50, which included five sixes, helped the Sixers post 5-177 in their innings.

'WRITING ON THE WALL': Fans ruthlessly turn on Indian team

'DISGRACEFUL': Aussie great sticks boot into woeful India

'IT'S OBSCENE': Virat Kohli's wife in ugly Test loss twist

The all-rounder returned to pick up Phil Salt with his third ball and nip a promising Strikers' start in the bud.

Christian came to the crease with the Sixers 3-58 at the start of the 12th over after they struggled early on a nippy pitch.

He hit 22 off one over by debutant Liam Scott, who was subbed in as an X-factor player at the 10-over mark.

Christian fell to a top edge off Wes Agar one ball after notching his milestone.

Viewers were blown away by Christian's devastating display of big-hitting.

"Knowing we still had a few guys in the sheds, I went out and played some shots," the 37-year-old Christian said.

"It was a bit of a gamble but it paid off.

"I feel like I'm in a good place. As long as your eyes don't go, and mine haven't yet, I feel like having that extra year experience again ... you can tend to see what's coming."

Christian puts brakes on Strikers chase

Adelaide's chase got off to a quick start courtesy of Salt and Jake Weatherald, who paired up for 52 inside five overs.

But Christian broke the stand and finished with 1-25 as the Strikers limped to 7-139.

Seamer Dan Worrall had the ball talking early for the Strikers after they elected to field, taking 2-12 off four straight overs that included 18 dot balls.

For the second time in as many matches, Adelaide opted to substitute out English spinner Danny Briggs.

Under new rules this summer, teams can replace a member of their starting XI at the 10-over mark provided they have not batted or bowled more than one over.

Briggs had sent down one over for a respectable five runs and could have dismissed James Vince had wicketkeeper Alex Carey nailed a simple stumping.

His replacement, Scott, went for 28 off his two overs as Christian took the long handle to the attack.

Coach Jason Gillespie said the decision to replace Briggs was made to bolster the side's batting on a deck not offering much for spin.

"We'll look back on it to see if we could have done anything different but we're comfortable with the decision," he said.

"We knew what (Christian) was coming in to do, to tee-off, and it went his way.

"That changed the momentum of the game, it was a fantastic knock."

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.