BBL 2025-26, Match 10 Review: Tom Curran, Sam Harper shine as Stars trump Strikers
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Matt Short and Marcus Stoinis (Source: BBL/X)
Published - 23 Dec 2025, 03:51 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Melbourne Stars trumped Adelaide Strikers by six wickets in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 clash in Adelaide on December 23. Stars opted to bowl first after winning the toss, and they made the move work instantly on a surface that had a fair bit of assistance for the pacers with the new ball.
Batting first, the Strikers posted a par total of 155/8 in their allotted 20 overs as they failed to recover after early setbacks in the powerplay, losing Chris Lynn and Jason Sangha for single-digit scores. Captain Matthew Short held one end up even as wickets tumbled from the other. Short dug deep and played a responsible knock, scoring 56 off 42 with four boundaries and plenty of strike rotation.
Liam Scott gave a semblance of support to Short, with the duo joining hands in a crucial 55-run third-wicket stand. Scott struck two fours and a six in his 19-ball 25, while Alex Ross added 22 off 21. However, all the remaining batters failed to contribute, leading the Strikers to settle with a middling 155 in the end.
Tom Curran (3/35) and Haris Rauf (3/28) were the pick of the bowlers for Stars, bagging three wickets apiece, while Peter Siddle and Marcus Stoinis picked one each.
Out to chase a modest target, Stars rode on wicketkeeper-batter Sam Harper’s calculatedly aggressive 36-ball 55, which included five fours and two sixes. Harper found support in Joe Clarke (23) and Campbell Kellaway (28) before captain Marcus Stoinis sealed the victory with an unbeaten 32 off 22, smacking three fours and a six to gun down the target in 18.1 overs. Tom Curran was deservedly named Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul.
The Stars remain on top of the table, having won both games they have played so far, while the Strikers have a solitary win from two games and are placed sixth. The Stars will meet Sydney Sixers on Friday, December 26, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while the Strikers will face Brisbane Heat on Saturday, December 27, at the Gabba.
