Ross blasted seven boundaries and three sixes during his innings of 65
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
The Adelaide Strikers opened their Big Bash League (BBL) account with a 19-run win over the Melbourne Stars at the Adelaide Oval.
Alex Ross and skipper Brad Hodge starred for the Strikers as they scored 65 and 56 not out respectively, while Stars opener Marcus Stoinis smashed a valiant 50.
Stars captain David Hussey would have been thrilled with his decision to bowl first early on as Craig Simmons, Tim Ludeman, Mahela Jayawardene and Travis Head were dismissed in fairly quick succession.
Ross and Hodge steadied the innings with a 115-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Ross was given out lbw off the bowling of Scott Boland.
Ross’ superb innings of 65 came off 31 balls and included seven boundaries and three sixes.
Hodge ended up making 56 off 41 deliveries, which included four boundaries and a six, as the Strikers finished on 187/5 off their 20 overs.
Hodge raises his bat after bringing up his half-century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Boland was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Michael Beer, James Faulkner and John Hastings chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 188 to win, Stoinis was the only batsman to have a major impact for the Stars as he scored 50 off 42 balls, which included six boundaries.
Stoinis made a gutsy 50
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Kevin Pietersen, Glenn Maxwell and Hussey all got off to promising starts, but they were unable to convert it into bigger scores as they were dismissed for 22, 21 and 25 respectively. In the end, the Stars fell short of their target as they finished on 168/7 off their 20 overs.
Kane Richardson was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Ben Laughlin and Adil Rashid claimed two wickets each.
Ross was named Man of the Match.