Tom Curran’s incisive new-ball spell and a fluent half-century from Sam Harper powered Melbourne Stars to a six-wicket victory over Adelaide Strikers, extending their perfect start to the BBL season at the Adelaide Oval.
Curran set the tone early, striking twice in the second over to derail the Strikers’ innings. He finished with 3 for 35, well supported by express quick Haris Rauf (3 for 28), as the Stars restricted the hosts to 155 for 8 despite a composed 56 from captain Matthew Short.
Chasing 156, the Stars were immediately on the front foot. With regular opener Tom Rogers sidelined by a shoulder injury, Sam Harper seized his opportunity, smashing 55 off 36 balls in a blazing opening stand with Joe Clarke. The pair raced to 52 in the first four overs, putting the Strikers under immediate pressure.
Clarke fell for a brisk 23, and Harper followed soon after bringing up his half-century, but the damage was done. After a brief wobble that saw Glenn Maxwell dismissed cheaply, Campbell Kellaway (28) and Marcus Stoinis (32)* calmly guided the Stars home, Stoinis sealing the match with a towering six with 11 balls to spare.
Earlier, Adelaide’s innings never fully recovered from Curran’s double strike, which removed Chris Lynn and Jason Sangha in quick succession. Short and Liam Scott steadied the ship with a 50-run stand, but wickets at regular intervals prevented the Strikers from building late momentum. Rauf’s burst at the death ensured the total remained within reach.
With bat and ball clicking in unison, the Stars have announced themselves as early title contenders, while the Strikers are left searching for consistency after another stop-start performance.
