Melbourne Renegades knock out Adelaide Strikers with thumping win

MELBOURNE: Tom Curran’s four-wicket haul powered home side Melbourne Stars to a crushing six-wicket victory over Adelaide Strikers in the 34th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Stars captain Marcus Stoinis’s decision to field first proved beneficial as his team’s bowling unit dismantled the Strikers’ batting unit, booking it for a meagre 83 in 19.3 overs. No.9 batter Cameron Boyce remained the top-scorer for the visitors with a gutsy 20 off 18 deliveries. His defiant 28-run partnership for the 10th wicket with Tabraiz Shamsi (eight not out) prevented the Strikers from succumbing to their lowest total. Besides him, middle-order batter Liam Scott was the only other to amass double figures against a ruthless Stars’ bowling attack, scoring a cautious 18 off 20 deliveries.

Curran was the standout bowler for the Stars, taking four wickets for just 10 runs in his four overs and was thus adjudged the Player of the Match.  His brilliance was backed by Mitchell Swepson, who bagged three wickets, captain Stoinis took two, while Peter Siddle made one scalp.

Set to chase a modest 84-run target, the home side comfortably struck the winning runs for the loss of four wickets and 29 balls to spare. Leading the way for them was opener Thomas Rogers, who top-scored with an anchoring 32 off 40 deliveries with the help of four boundaries, while Stoinis made a handy contribution with a 20-ball 23 before getting retired hurt. For the Strikers, Scott took two wickets, while Hasan Ali and Jamie Overton could claim one apiece.

The humbling defeat knocked Adelaide Strikers out of the BBL playoffs race, as they have just six points after nine matches, currently reeling in sixth position. Melbourne Stars, on the other hand, boosted their chances for a top-two finish as they moved just one point within leaders Hobart Hurricanes. Web Desk