Thatās all we have for you from the Adelaide Oval, where the hosts went down in front of their home crowd. It was a commanding all-round performance from the Melbourne Stars as they make it two wins from two and move to the top of the points table. Weāll be back on Boxing Day with an exciting double-header in the BBL 2025/26.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Deepak Prakash & Dev Rajawat who, along with scorer Ashok Dayma brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYEš
Tom Curran (Player of the Match): "I was happy to get those wickets early. The new-ball over is always important because youāre trying to set the tone straight away. I havenāt bowled a lot with the new ball in white-ball cricket as I usually come on when itās harder, so Iām just trying to take the opportunity when thereās a bit of swing on offer. Luckily, it worked tonight.
To be honest, it was a complete bowling performance. Weāve got a lot of bases covered as a group. I only bowled a couple of overs, but the quality at the back end was outstanding. Haris Rauf was excellent, Peter Siddle bowled unbelievably, and Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis did their jobs perfectly through the middle.
I canāt speak highly enough of Peter Siddle. At 41, bowling around 140 kmph, heās an example to any young cricketer. He looks after himself, heās the ultimate professional, and the work he puts in behind the scenes shows every time he steps onto the field. Heās a great man and still an unbelievable performer for us.
This start feels much better than last season. Weāre 2-0 compared to 0-5, and preparation has been a big difference. Last year, we flew in and played almost immediately. This time, we had a few games to prepare while the tournament was already underway, got a win early, and backed it up here. Itās a really nice way to start this road trip.ā
Player of the Match: Tom Curran
5:04 PM IST & 10:04 PM Local Time: Thatās the end of the contest at the Adelaide Oval as the Hulk finishes it off in emphatic fashion with a towering maximum. Itās a comprehensive victory for the Melbourne Stars as they make it two wins out of two in the tournament. The Men in Green complete the chase in style, winning by 6 wickets with 11 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, Marcus Stoinis won the toss and opted to chase and the Strikers endured a shaky start with the bat. Tom Curran made an immediate impact, striking twice in the second over to remove Chris Lynn (4) and Jason Sangha (0), leaving the Strikers on the back foot early. Matthew Short and Liam Scott then steadied the innings with a vital 55-run partnership for the third wicket to restore some momentum.
The stand was broken when Stoinis brought himself into the attack and struck straightaway, dismissing Scott for 25 off 19 balls. Alex Ross joined Short and the pair added a handy 48 runs for the fourth wicket. However, the Strikers struggled to accelerate when it mattered. The power surge proved costly as Ross struggled in the middle and eventually was dismissed for 22 off 21 balls, while Short departed at a crucial stage for a well-made 56 off 42 deliveries.
Melbourne Stars tightened the screws in the death overs with disciplined bowling, never allowing the Strikers to break free. Haris Rauf (3/28) and Tom Curran (3/35) led the charge with three wickets apiece, as the Adelaide Strikers were restricted to a below-par 155/8 from their 20 overs.
In reply, the Stars came out all guns blazing. Sam Harper and Joe Clarke tore into the Strikersā bowling during the powerplay, racing to 52 without loss. Clarke fell for 23, but Harper carried on brilliantly, smashing his way to a 35-ball fifty before departing for 55.
Skipper Marcus Stoinis (32* off 22) then saw the chase through with a calm unbeaten knock, guiding Melbourne Stars to a comfortable 6-wicket victory with 11 balls to spare.
OVER 19
Melbourne Stars
161/4
Marcus Stoinis
32(22)
Hilton Cartwright
10(7)
Matthew Short
0-27(2.1)
18.1 M Short to M Stoinis
6 SIX! FINISHED OFF IN A STYLE! THE WINNING RUNS COME OFF THE BAT OF THE SKIPPER! Short and around off. Stoinis presses back and pulls it over the wide long on fence for a biggie to seal the deal. THE MELBOURNE STARS HAVE DEFEATED THE ADELAIDE STRIKERS BY 6 WICKETS WITH 11 BALLS TO SPARE!!
The scores are level, and the Stars need one run from 12 balls to win this match. Jamie Overton ends with 1/39. Matthew Short will bowl the penultimate over.