Strikers pick up first win under Paine as Stars' early season struggles continue

The Adelaide Strikers have picked up their first win under new coach Tim Paine, as they defeated the Melbourne Stars by 15 runs on Friday night.

In what was their first home game of the season, the Strikers posted an impressive score of 165 runs for the winless Stars to chase.

A strong innings from the likes of D’Arcy Short (60 runs) and Alex Ross (35 runs) allowed the Strikers to control the game from the get go, with the bowling figures of 3-21 from Lloyd Pope cementing the victory for the South Australian side.

Despite the loss, Sam Harper put in a commendable effort with the bat, scoring 48 runs off 44 balls before he was bowled by Pope in the 15th over.

For the Stars, they now enter their fourth game of the season still winless, with a big game against the Sydney Sixers away on Boxing Day their next chance to find their first victory of the season.

The Strikers however will look to extend their winning ways on Sunday, when they travel to Brisbane to take on the reigning champions in what looks to be a blockbuster.