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ADELAIDE: Pacer Haris Rauf delivered a fiery three-wicket spell to lead Melbourne Stars to a six-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers in the 10th match of Big Bash League (BBL) 15 here at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.
Set 156, Stars chased down the target on four wickets with 11 balls to spare.
Sam Harper remained the top scorer, scoring 55 from 36 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.
Skipper Marcus Stoinis remained the other notable contributor with 32* from 22 to his name. The right-hander hit three fours and a six in his brisk knock.
Melbourne Stars were off to a flyer as they posted 67 at the end of the powerplay, losing just one wicket in the process. Joe Clarke hit two fours before getting dismissed on 23.
Meanwhile, Harper continued to charge and stitched a brief 23-run partnership with Campbell Kellaway. The duo brought the total to 90 in 9.5 overs.
However, Hasan Ali took two crucial wickets in quick succession to jolt Stars in the chase. The right-arm pacer first removed well-set Harper, followed by the big wicket of Glenn Maxwell for two to reduce them to 96-3 in 11.3 overs.
But Marcus Stoinis remained till the end to ensure his side crossed the finishing line. He added 37 and 28* run stands with Campbell Kellaway and Hilton Cartwright to take his side home.
For Stars, Hasan Ali remained the pick of the bowlers, managing to take two wickets in his three overs.
Earlier, after being given the opportunity to bat first, the home side Adelaide Strikers were unable to post a big total as they ended their innings on 155 for 8 in 20 overs.
Tom Curran ripped through their top order, removing Chris Lynn and Jason Sangha in the second over to put his side on top.
After an early hiccup, skipper Matthew Short batted with responsibility, crafting a 55-run partnership with Liam Scott to take the score to 62-3 in 7.5 overs.
The stand culminated with Scott’s wicket, trapped lbw by Stoinis for 25, despite it being another 48-run partnership that carried them over the 100-run mark, before a middle-order collapse saw them reeling.
Alex Ross and Short brought the total to 110 in 13.4 overs as Curran removed the latter, who top-scored with 56 from 42 with the help of four boundaries.
Eventually, the home side were limited to a below-par total at the end of their innings.
For Stars, Haris Rauf and Tom Curran combined and shared six wickets between them.
