Sam Harper delivered one of the great Boxing Day knocks in BBL history, smashing a sensational 110* off 60 balls to fire the Melbourne Stars to a dominant seven-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.
The Stars cruised to 145 with 15 balls to spare, sealing their best start to a season in 12 years, three wins from three. For the Sixers, it was another tough night, slipping to their third loss in four matches.
Harper was simply unstoppable. He tore into Sixers’ premier quick Kane Richardson, plundering 41 runs off his two overs and clearing the ropes six times in a brutal exhibition of clean hitting. His maiden BBL century arrived in just 50 balls, capped by a top-edge over short third that summed up a night where everything he touched turned to gold. After two summers without a fifty, Harper now has back-to-back scores of 55 and 110* to start the new campaign. Peak confidence. Peak timing.
The Sixers had earlier been held to 144 thanks to clinical bowling from the veterans and familiar foes.
Peter Siddle, at 41, continued to age like fine wine with figures of 3 for 23 and came within one ball of a fairytale BBL hat-trick. Tom Curran bit back at his former side with a sharp 3 for 26, removing the dangerous trio of Babar Azam, Daniel Hughes, who top-scored with 60, and Jack Edwards. The Stars were relentless. The pressure never lifted.
When it was time to chase, Harper made sure there would be no drama. He pounced on the short boundary. He punished anything loose. He looked a level above. His dominance ensured the Stars never lost control of the game and coasted home in style to remain unbeaten.
For the Stars, this feels like 2013-14 energy all over again, belief, momentum, confidence. For the Sixers, big questions now linger after another off night and a wicketless outing for their strike quick Richardson. But this Boxing Day belonged to Sam Harper.
A night. A knock. A statement.
