Melbourne Stars solidified their dominance in the 15th edition of the Big Bash League with a clinical dismantling of the Adelaide Strikers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday night. In the 34th match of the season, a contest that was expected to be a middle-table dogfight turned into a one-sided exhibition of disciplined bowling and tactical superiority. Behind a career-defining performance from England international Tom Curran, the Stars restricted the Strikers to one of the lowest totals of the tournament before cruising to a six-wicket victory with nearly five overs to spare.
Four-wicket burst from Tom Curran stuns Adelaide Strikers’ top order
From the moment Marcus Stoinis won the toss and elected to bowl, the Melbourne Stars’ attack operated with surgical precision. Curran, the eventual Player of the Match, produced a spell of fast bowling that was as economical as it was lethal. He finished with staggering figures of 4/10 from his four overs, effectively breaking the back of the Strikers’ batting lineup before it could even settle.
The collapse began early. Alex Carey was the first to fall to Curran in the second over, setting a grim tone for the visitors. By the time Chris Lynn was trapped LBW for just 2 in the fourth over, the Strikers were reeling at 14/2. The discipline from the other end was equally suffocating; Peter Siddle and Mitchell Swepson (3/22) ensured there was no respite. The Strikers’ innings never gained momentum, hampered by a relentless Powerplay that yielded only 14 runs. Despite a late, defiant 20 from Cameron Boyce, the Strikers were bundled out for a paltry 83 runs in 19.3 overs, a total that left their bowlers with a mountain to climb.
Melbourne Stars cruise to victory despite minor top-order hiccups
Chasing a modest target of 84, the Melbourne Stars’ pursuit was more of a professional stroll than a frantic dash. While the Strikers’ bowlers, led by Liam Scott (2/12) and Hasan Ali (1/21), attempted to inject drama by picking up early wickets, the target was simply too low to defend. Sam Harper and Campbell Kellaway fell cheaply within the first three overs, leaving the Stars at a momentary 13/2, but the depth of the Melbourne roster ensured the outcome was never truly in doubt.
Thomas Rogers played the anchor role to perfection, scoring a steady 32 off 40 balls to stabilize the ship. He was well-supported by skipper Stoinis, who looked in vintage form, striking 23 off 20 deliveries before retiring hurt in the 15th over with the victory nearly secured. Curran capped off his perfect night by remaining unbeaten on 9, guiding the Stars to 86/4 in just 15.1 overs. The 6-wicket win, achieved with 29 balls remaining, sends a loud message to the rest of the league as the Stars move to second on the ladder, leaving the Strikers to regroup after a night they would rather forget.
Melbourne Stars got the better of Adelaide Strikers at MCG 🔥#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/S0TfV9jSiE
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 13, 2026
Also READ: Chris Green sizzles as Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Renegades in rain-hit clash
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
