Strikers move to second

THE Adelaide Strikers have climbed to second spot on the BBL ladder after belting the Melbourne Stars by 41 runs.

The Strikers blasted 5-178 before knocking the Stars over for 137 in front of 30,392 fans at Adelaide Oval last night.

Openers Evan Gulbis (37) and Ben Dunk (25) started briskly as the Stars marched to 49 without loss from the first five overs.

Dunk’s departure, courtesy of a fine outfield catch from Michael Neser off Ben Laughlin (3-19), kickstarted a 4-15 collapse which the Stars, despite the best efforts of Dwayne Bravo (33), never recovered from.

Wes Agar (2-33) bowled Gulbis for his maiden BBL scalp while legspinner Liam O’Connor (2-33) captured the key wickets of Nick Larkin (0) and Nic Maddison (5) to slog sweeps and Neser snared 2-32.