England seamer Tom Curran delivered a devastating spell to register career-best figures of 4 for 9 as Melbourne Stars thrashed Adelaide Strikers by six wickets in the Big Bash League, sealing their place in the playoffs and ending their opponents’ post-season hopes.
Curran’s brilliance with the ball saw the Strikers bowled out for just 83, one of their lowest totals in BBL history. The Stars then made light work of the chase, reaching the target inside 16 overs to move up to second place on the league table.
The 30-year-old, who last represented England in 2021, struck early and set the tone in the second over when Alex Carey was caught for just three. Bowling with precision on a challenging surface, Curran continued to dismantle the Strikers’ top order, removing Chris Lynn and Jason Sangha in quick succession.
He capped off a superb spell by having in-form Liam Scott caught behind for 18, leaving Adelaide reeling at 40 for 5 halfway through their innings. Although Curran had completed his four overs, the collapse showed no signs of stopping.
Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson piled on the misery by dismissing Jamie Overton and Hassan Ali with consecutive deliveries in the following over, reducing the visitors to tatters. Only Cameron Boyce offered brief resistance, top-scoring with 20 and combining with Tabraiz Shamsi for a last-wicket stand of 28.
Boyce eventually became the final batter to fall with three balls remaining, as Adelaide were bundled out for 83, with only two players reaching double figures.
The Stars’ reply got off to a slightly shaky start as they slipped to 25 for 2 inside the powerplay. Opener Sam Harper, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was dismissed for nine after substitute Mackenzie Harvey took a sharp catch off Liam Scott. Hassan Ali then removed Campbell Kellaway for a duck, caught by Overton.
Tom Rogers steadied the chase with a composed 32 from 40 balls. He added 30 runs with Blake Macdonald (11) and followed it up with a 33-run partnership alongside Marcus Stoinis, who chipped in with 23.
Adelaide briefly threatened late on when Overton had Rogers caught at mid-wicket in the 15th over and then struck Stoinis on the glove, forcing him to retire hurt. However, Curran fittingly returned to finish the contest, striking a boundary to secure victory for the Stars.
The win lifts Melbourne Stars above Perth Scorchers into second place on the ladder, just one point behind table-toppers Hobart Hurricanes, with one group-stage match remaining. For the Strikers, who sit sixth, the defeat confirms their elimination, as they can no longer catch fourth-placed Sydney Sixers.
