Advertisement
Advertisement
MELBOURNE: Tom Curran’s career-best bowling figures helped Melbourne Stars crush Hasan Ali Adelaide Strikers in the 34th fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Tuesday.
Stars chased down a mere 84-run target in 15.1 overs, losing four wickets in the process, keeping their hopes alive for reaching the BBL finals.
After the defeat, Adelaide Strikers were eliminated with three wins out of nine games.
Although Stars started the chase cautiously, they eventually reached home with Thomas Rogers top-scoring with 32 from 40 with the help of two fours.
Sam Harper and Campbell Kellaway were sent packing for nine and duck, respectively, in the first three overs, which provided Adelaide Strikers with a glimmer of hope.
However, Blake Macdonald and Rogers’ 30-run partnership made light work of the chase.
The scorecard read 43-3 in 8.3 overs when skipper Marcus Stoinis arrived at the crease and hit a 23 off 20 before getting retired hurt.
For Adelaide Strikers, Liam Scott picked up two wickets.
Earlier, Melbourne Stars capitalized on the decision to bowl first as Curran led the attack, skittling Adelaide Strikers for 83 in 19.3 overs.
It was Tom Curran’s burst with the new ball that broke the back of Stikers batting lineup.
The right-arm pacer kept the Strikers on their toes as they were reduced to 21-4 at the end of the powerplay.
The Strikers could not get going despite a brief partnership of 19 between Jamie Overton and Liam Scott that brought the score near 40 run mark.
However, Curran sparked a collapse that the Strikers never recovered from.
For Melbourne Stars, Tom Curran earned the player of the match award, scalping four in his quota of four overs while giving away only 10. Mitchell Swepson also chipped in with the ball, with three wickets to his name.
READ: USA pacer Ali Khan posts cryptic message amid World Cup visa row
