In the 10th match of Big Bash League 2025-26 at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis won the toss and elected to field against Adelaide Strikers, setting up a high-stakes night clash under lights. The Strikers struggled early, losing two quick wickets for just seven runs in the powerplay, but mounted a recovery to post a competitive 155/8 in their 20 overs at a run rate of 7.75. Stars’ bowlers, led by Tom Curran‘s fiery spell, restricted the hosts despite a brisk half-century from skipper Matthew Short.
Tom Curran produces a peach to remove Jason Sangha
Tom Curran produced an absolute beauty in the 1.4th over, dismantling Jason Sangha‘s stumps and leaving the Strikers reeling at 7/2. The English all-rounder bowled a shorter length delivery that nipped away just enough off the pitch, deceiving Sangha who lunged forward and misjudged the line completely, resulting in the off-stump being uprooted. Sangha departed for a golden duck off two balls (0x4, 0x6, SR: 0), marking Curran’s second strike in the same over after earlier removing Chris Lynn for 4. This double blow showcased Curran’s early fire, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-35-3, including another key scalp of Short for 56.
Curran’s magic swung momentum firmly towards Stars, who sit second on the points table after a dominant eight-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes in their opener. The 30-year-old, known for his BBL pedigree, exploited the conditions perfectly at Adelaide Oval, where pacers often find seam movement. Sangha’s failure added to Strikers’ top-order woes, as they eyed back-to-back wins following a thrilling chase against Sydney Sixers.
Here’s the video:
SEED!
First he bowled Chris Lynn, now Tom Curran has knocked over Jason Sangha 💥 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/MTf7OJjLTm
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 23, 2025
Adelaide Strikers recover after early blows to register a fighting total against Melbourne Stars
Adelaide Strikers recovered from their horror start through a gritty 55-run stand for the third wicket between Matthew Short (56 off 42, 4×4) and Liam Scott (25 off 19, 2×4, 1×6), reaching 50 in 6.5 overs. Short anchored the innings, bringing up his fifty off 38 balls, but fell at 110/4 in the 13.4th over, caught off Curran. Alex Ross chipped in with 22 off 21 before edging Peter Siddle behind, while late cameos from Henry Thornton (12* off 6, 1×6) and Hasan Ali (6* off 6, 1×4) pushed the total past 150 in the 19.2nd over.
Haris Rauf claimed three late wickets (4-0-28-3), including ducks for Harry Nielsen and Jerrssis Wadia (7), while Siddle (4-0-23-1) and Stoinis (2-0-23-1, lbw Scott) kept things tight. The powerplay yielded 32/2, drinks at 83/3 after 10 overs, and a final five-over burst of 38/4 highlighted a collapse from 129/6. Stars now chase 156, with win probability at 70% post-innings break, testing their explosive top order on a pitch offering assistance to seamers.
This encounter pits two in-form sides, with Stars boasting Stoinis’ recent 62no and Siddle’s three-fer from their opener. Strikers’ total keeps them in the hunt for a third straight win, but Curran’s early burst sets the tone for a tense chase.
