Opening batsman Sam Harper has ignited the Melbourne Stars' Big Bash League campaign, steering them to a commanding six-wicket victory over the Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday night. The win marks a second consecutive triumph for the Stars, solidifying a flawless start to their BBL season.
Harper's Powerplay Onslaught Sets Up Chase
Chasing a target of 156 for victory, the Stars' innings received an early jolt when regular opener Tom Rogers was ruled out of batting after injuring his shoulder in the field. This brought Sam Harper to the crease alongside Joe Clarke, and the pair responded with a devastating assault. They smashed 50 runs from the first 24 balls, setting an ominous tone for the run chase.
Harper continued his aggressive approach, reaching a well-compiled half-century from just 35 deliveries. His knock of 55 runs from 36 balls was the cornerstone of the innings, perfectly pacing the pursuit. The partnership was finally broken at 67 when leg-spinner Lloyd Pope bowled Clarke for 23 with a superb wrong'un.
Strikers' Innings Derailed by Early Collapse
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, the Adelaide Strikers' innings was rocked by a double-strike from Stars paceman Tom Curran in the second over. Curran bowled the dangerous Chris Lynn for four and then clean-bowled Jason Sangha for a duck with a brilliant leg-cutter, leaving the home side reeling at 2-10.
Captain Matt Short provided the backbone of the Strikers' effort, top-scoring with a resilient 56 from 42 balls. He shared a 50-run stand with Liam Scott (25) to steady the ship. However, just as Short looked to accelerate, he was caught brilliantly by Marcus Stoinis off Curran's bowling. The Stars' bowlers, led by Pakistan quick Haris Rauf (3-28) and Curran (3-35), kept taking wickets at regular intervals, restricting Adelaide to a below-par total of 8-155 from their 20 overs.
Stars Seal Comfortable Victory
Despite losing Harper immediately after his fifty and Glenn Maxwell cheaply, the Stars never looked in serious trouble. Campbell Kellaway (28 from 22) and the experienced Marcus Stoinis (32 not out from 22) guided the visitors home with ease. Stoinis fittingly sealed the win, hitting a six to take the Stars to 4-161 with a comfortable 11 balls to spare.
The victory was sweetened by a light-hearted post-match moment where Harper credited his form to an appearance on the 7Cricket show 'The Spin', continuing a quirky trend of players performing well after being on the program.
The result leaves the Melbourne Stars perched confidently at the top of the early BBL table, while the Adelaide Strikers are left to ponder their batting frailties after a second successive loss.
