The Strikers cruised to victory over a disappointing Stars side thanks to star displays from Jono Wells and Henry Thornton at the Adelaide Oval.
The Melbourne Stars went 8-132 from their 20 overs in response to the Strikers 6-155, with Thornton taking 4-26 and Wells blasting 73.
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The Strikers went 6-155 on their 20 overs after being dispatched by the Stars at Adelaide Oval, with Wells breaking 73 on 49 balls including six for four and six.
Matt Renshaw was the first man out for the Strikers for two after clipping a through ball from Sam Rainbird in the third.
Matt Short threw 33 of 22, including five fours and sixes, before skidding one off Clint Hinchliffe who caught the ball and threw.
Ian Cockbain had a run-a-ball 17 before being caught out by Hinchcliffe trying to increase the run rate.
Rainbird came back to have Jake Weatherald taken from deep for 17 to pick up his second scalp of the innings.
Ahmed Danyal beat Thomas Kelly for 5 and Wells was selflessly exhausted on the last ball for 73 for a run that wasn’t there.
As he so often is, Wells was the glue that held the Strikers’ innings together for half a century to overtake Alex Carey as Adelaide’s second all-time top goalscorer.
“Wells put on a show for the Adelaide Strikers today,” Brendon Julian said on Fox Cricket.
“He hit beautifully,” added Brett Lee.
“He hit six fours and a six and was hitting close to 150.
“Just the way he beats, he’s so easy to watch. He spins the shot and he’s fast between the wickets.
“He understands the game and he’s been in very good form this season.”
Glenn Maxwell was the first man out for the Stars played by Henry Thornton for 16 after breaking two front sixes.
Joe Clarke was next to go after clipping a ball from spinner Matt Short to be thrown for 9 out of 11 balls.
Returning Australian star Marcus Stoinis looked underrated as he was snapped by Matt Short off Fawad Ahmed for just 1 after limited playing time this season.
Beau Webster was dismissed by a brilliant catch from wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen wide of Thornton for 8.
Joe Burns struggled with his strike rate going 25-for-26 before being knocked down by Peter Siddle.
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Harry Conway fired Clint Hinchcliffe for 15 after being taken deep for a six in the final third.
Hilton Cartwright broke two fours and three sixes on his way to 49 before falling short of his half when he was caught by Short to give Thornton his third scalp of the day.
Thornton finished with numbers 4-26 after beating Sam Rainbird with the last ball of his spell.
“Great spell from Thornton,” Lee said.
“That’s how we play death.”
The Strikers are now within a point of the fourth-placed Hurricanes, while the Stars remain in sixth place with the Heat hot on their heels.
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