Thirimanne flies in, saves Sri Lanka

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Concentration ... Thirimanne was prepared to take the fight to the Australians. Source:News Limited

It took a 23-year-old who had been in the country for just 48 hours to display the application and drive Sri Lanka have been begging for all summer.

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Lahiru Thirimanne, who only landed in Australia on New Year's Day as a late call-up to an injury-ravaged squad, typified Sri Lanka's renewed attitude in the Sydney Test on Thursday by crafting a career-best 91 in their total of 294.

It's not the sort of score that will cause Michael Clarke any sleepless nights, but it's light years ahead of their twin disasters at the MCG a little over a week ago - when the top order crumbled on both occasions.

And central to it was Thirimanne, dropped after a poor series in England last April and waiting by the phone in Sri Lanka less than a week ago.

A veteran of just seven Tests and boasting the less-than-intimidating average of 19.84, Thirimanne came within nine runs of producing just the visitors' second century on tour - something even the man he replaced, all-time great Kumar Sangakkara (fractured finger), was unable to achieve.

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And after just one training session with the team, he briefly assumed the role as the team saviour.

"Kumar Sangakkara is a great player, one of the greatest cricketers in the world," Thirimanne, whose previous best was 68 against Pakistan, said afterwards.

"It's a great opportunity for me to replace him for a Test match in Australia. I thought I grabbed that opportunity with both hands."

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That he threw away his century with a rash shot - and to an athletic David Warner catch - was unfortunate, and certainly a sore point afterwards for the young left-hander.

"Actually I'm really disappointed because this is a great opportunity for me after a long break from Test cricket," he said.

"But I feel I batted really well. At the end of the day, I'm really happy with my performance."

Thirimanne combined well with captain Mahela Jayawardene, putting on 62 for the third wicket as the pair looked to guide Sri Lanka to an imposing total.

But losing four wickets for just 23 runs in the final session, before a handy 21-run 10th wicket partnership, cruelled the visitors' chances of posting a dominant score.

Still, they'd followed through on Jayawardene's pre-game message to take the fight to Australia's fearsome pace attack led by MCG man-of-the-match Mitchell Johnson.

In Sydney, Johnson (0-58) went wicketless and Thirimanne weathered the best short balls that Australia's tattooed left-armer could offer.

"It's about individuals taking responsibility and knowing what they need to do," Jayawardene said on match eve.

"If you really sit down and look at what we've achieved so far in this series, I think it's not that hard to say 'no, we haven't done enough' and that we need to really stand up and count ourselves.

"It has to come within themselves."

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Christian, McKay go toe-to-toe

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Personal space ... Dan Christian and Clint McKay swap recipes. Source:FOX SPORTS

Brisbane Heat batsman Dan Christian and Melbourne Stars paceman Clint McKay have gone toe-to-toe in a feisty KFC T20 Big Bash League clash at the Gabba.

T20 - Gabba

3 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Stars 1st Innings

C. McKay	2	5	0	0	40
L. Malinga	2	7	0	0	28.57
A. McDermott	4	0	21	2	5.25

McKay took exception to Christian's running between the wickets as he tried to get to the ball and attempt a run out.

However, Christian didn't take a backward step and got right in McKay's face despite having a helmet on.

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The umpire eventually was forced to separate the two.

The argument went on for some time afterwards and the Heat took advantage as Thisara Perera hit a six and a four off the next two balls.

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Earlier in the innings, Stars teammates Shane Warne and Luke Wright also had a tiff after a missed catching chance.

It was a comedy of errors as Wright appeared to call for the ball only for it to float towards Warne, who got right out of the way.

Warne later dropped a simple catch that allowed Christian a life.

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It is the latest in a string of heated exchanges in the BBL with Sydney Sixers captain Brad Haddin and Sydney Thunder batsman Chris Gayle getting into the spat that spilled over onto Twitter.

Marlon Samuels has also been at the centre of a controversy over his bowling that has seen Heat coach Darren Lehmann reprimanded and Strikers coach Darren Berry reported for misconduct.

In the end the Heat won the war as James Hopes starred with bat and ball to inspire a 24-run win that keeps his team in the hunt for semi-final action, while the Stars remain in second spot behind cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades.

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Tomic, Barty make short work of Italy

Three in a row ... Tomic finished his singles rubbers in Perth with a perfect record. Source: News Limited

Australian Bernard Tomic continued his winning run at the Hopman Cup with a 6-3 7-5 triumph over world No.23 Andreas Seppi at Perth Arena on Thursday night.

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Tomic, who stunned world No.1 Novak Djokovic on Wednesday night after accounting for German Tommy Haas earlier in the tournament, had too many weapons for Seppi, with the 71-minute win giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the tie.

"I think I played really well against Novak yesterday and today was really good as well," Tomic said.

"It's amazing preparation before the Australian Open and I'm really glad I came.

"The last few months were very hard. I was focusing a lot on my fitness and my serve. You need to serve well when you play against these top players."

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Tomic had to save three break points on his first service game.

But from there, the 20-year-old took control of the match, breaking Seppi in the fourth game on the way to first-set honours.

Seppi and Tomic went toe-to-toe for much of the second set.

But a double fault from Seppi on break point in the 11th game ended the Italian's resistance, with Tomic easily serving out the match.

Teenager Ashleigh Barty then claimed the biggest scalp of her fledgling career with a 6-0 6-3 demolition of 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

Australia will reach Saturday night's final if Germany upset Serbia's top-seeded pairing of Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic on Friday.

Barty was only playing at the mixed-teams tournament after Casey Dellacqua was forced to pull out with a foot injury.

The 16-year-old lost to Ivanovic in straight sets on Wednesday night, but came out with all guns blazing against world No.35 Schiavone, who couldn't keep pace in the opening set.

Schiavone committed 10 unforced errors in the first set, with two of her double faults handing Barty crucial breaks.

The 32-year-old veteran won the first two games of the second set but, from there, Barty took control to break Schiavone three times to secure the win.

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Chelsea, Ba agree to terms: reports

Demba Ba ... looks set to make move to Stamford Bridge. Source: SCOTT HEPPELL / AP

Newcastle striker Demba Ba has agreed to join Chelsea on a three-and-a-half-year contract, it is understood.

The Senegal international is undergoing a medical with Rafa Benitez's side after a release clause was triggered in his Newcastle contract once Chelsea offered £7 ($A11) million for him.

Ba was left out of the Magpies' squad for their 2-1 home defeat to Everton, with manager Alan Pardew admitting afterwards that he was on his way to Stamford Bridge.

A deal between the Premier League rivals appears close to being finalised, with Benitez keen to add to his attacking options to ease the burden on Fernando Torres.

"He has done fantastic for us and it's not a bad thing, all the uncertainty is now done and we can move on.

"The ball was always in Demba's court. But this club is bigger than any player for sure."

Ba joined Newcastle on a free transfer from West Ham in June 2011 and after impressing last season he has already scored 13 goals this campaign.

"It's done. He will go to Chelsea with our blessing," Pardew told Sky Sports ahead of their defeat by Everton.

"He has done fantastic for us and it's not a bad thing, all the uncertainty is now done and we can move on.

"The ball was always in Demba's court. But this club is bigger than any player for sure."

Chelsea officials held initial discussions with Ba's representatives earlier this week but had been unable to reach an agreement.

Newcastle released a statement which read: "Newcastle United can confirm Chelsea Football Club has made an official offer for Demba Ba which has triggered the release clause in the player's contract.

"The club has given the player permission to speak to Chelsea FC and therefore he will not be included in the squad for tonight's game with Everton."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8378310/Chelsea-agree-deal-with-Newcastle-striker-Demba-Ba

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Heat outshine Stars to stay alive

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Win ... Alastair McDermott picks up a wicket on the final ball. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

Brisbane Heat weathered a Lasith Malinga onslaught before keeping their KFC T20 Big Bash League finals hopes alive with a 24-run victory over Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.

T20 - Gabba

3 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Stars 1st Innings

C. McKay	2	5	0	0	40
L. Malinga	2	7	0	0	28.57
A. McDermott	4	0	21	2	5.25

In a match where tempers frayed between Australia one-day teammates Clint McKay and Dan Christian, the Heat (5-171) ended the Stars' four-match winning streak on Thursday night.

Super slinger Malinga continued his destructive BBL form with an amazing 3-0 from his first 10 balls to have the home side staring at a sub-par total of 140.

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But thanks largely to Shane Warne's rusty fielding and Chris Lynn's late-innings hitting, Brisbane set a respectable target which couldn't be reined in.

Warne dropped a simple chance from Christian (27 from 23) before Lynn (26 not out) then peeled off 17 runs from the final over by Malinga (3-26).

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Heat skipper James Hopes followed his 49 with the bat to take 3-28 with the ball in a man-of-the-match performance which tormented the Stars' international-quality line-up.

Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara Perera, in his last match for Brisbane, chimed in with 3-18 as the visitors were kept to 9-147.

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A big crowd of 24,500 - the biggest of the BBL season - lapped up the result which moves the Heat to fifth on the table with 3-3 record.

The Stars (4-2) remain in second place on eight points.

Emotions boiled over in the Heat innings when McKay and Christian engaged in a heated exchange, trading insults from close quarters, after the batsman prevented a run-out with his running line.

Warne, who won the toss and bowled first, showed his own lack of confidence in the field by calling Luke Wright to take a skied ball from Perera that landed where the 43-year-old had been standing.

Warne admitted the Stars let the home side off the hook following their impressive start.

"It was a little disappointing tonight in all three departments - our fielding and our bowling, we didn't quite get it right, and in our batting we lost wickets at crucial times,'' he said.

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"Our last four overs went for 52 and 170 was a par score here as it was a really good wicket so we thought we could chase it down.''

Hopes, who set the foundations with a two-paced 63-run second-wicket stand with surprise No.3 Chris Hartley, felt the Heat had some momentum after winning just one of their first four matches.

"It's a funny thing with our side, we tend to play our best when our backs are to the wall and we have to lose a few first to get on a winning streak,'' he said.

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Mancini to explain overeating claims

Roberto Mancini ... has been forced to explain comments about referee Kevin Friend. Source: Ian Kington / AFP

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has until Friday afternoon (UK time) to comment on his criticism of referee Kevin Friend following a Boxing Day defeat to Sunderland.

The Football Association wrote to Mancini following his claim that "maybe the referee ate too much for Christmas", as Friend missed what Mancini felt was a clear foul on Pablo Zabaleta in the build-up to Adam Johnson's winner.

Due to a busy Barclays Premier League festive period the judicial panel granted Mancini's request for an extension and it is thought the City boss is facing either a warning or fine for his reaction.

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Whilst City have made their frustration known at the investigation whilst Sir Alex Ferguson escaped without punishment for his behaviour during Manchester United's win over Newcastle the same day, it has been pointed out by the FA that there are clear differences.

The main difference is that as Mancini delivered his assessment after the game and Friend was not present - unlike Mike Dean, who described his own clash with Ferguson before the second half of United's 4-3 victory as 'cordial'.

In addition, whilst Mancini's comments could be viewed as an amusing aside, they have called into question Friend's competence which the FA, at the very least, feel demands clarification.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8378336/FA-give-Roberto-Mancini-until-Friday-to-comment-on-criticism-of-referee-Kevin-Friend

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Gourmet ride to Hobart for sailors

Luxury ... Crew members on Charlie's Dream are dubbed the 'gourmet sailors.' Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Seasickness and a drenching isn't the lot of every Sydney to Hobart sailor.

On board Charlie's Dream, they're serving up a gourmet menu and enjoying a hot shower each morning.

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The catch? The cruising yacht has been running last for most of the race.

By Thursday afternoon, skipper Peter Lewis and his crew caught the 1932-built Maluka of Kermandie east of Batemans Bay to move up one place to 75th in the race for line honours.

Lunch had obviously served the Queenslanders well.

"We've got smoked chicken, prosciutto, we've got Stilton blue cheese, King Island double brie, some ordinary tasty cheddar, tomatoes, pickled onion, jalapenos, olives,'' Lewis told reporters by satellite phone.

"Because the conditions are reasonably calm at the moment we'll make the most of the opportunity to have a glass of chardonnay with all this.''

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That could be as wet as Lewis' crew gets, if you don't count the shower.

There were some green faces on night one, Lewis said, but the 13.7-metre Bluewater 450 built in 2008 is now doing what it did best.

"We're built for comfort rather than speed,'' Lewis said.

"I had a hot shower this morning. There's not many boats where crew can have a shower when they feel like it.

"We had bacon, egg and beans this morning.''

Lewis said the crew's main goal, an adventure with mates, had already been achieved.

But he was deadly serious about the aim now - to cut a swathe through the back end of the field.

"As you get to Tasman Island ... all of a sudden you've got sails in front of you, sails behind you,'' he said.

"Instead of feeling tired the adrenaline kicks in and you've got another race.

"We've obviously got two or three yachts that are at the tail end of the fleet ... and we've certainly got a couple of those we'd like to pip to the post.''

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Geeves on Boxing Day Test: day two

Tradition ... some big names got involved in the great Aussie past-time at the MCG. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Former Australia and Tasmania all-rounder Brett Geeves gives his unique take on the action from the MCG, this time choosing to focus on the great Australian traditions of beer snakes, a run-scoring captain and lending a player to the other team.

There are a few traditions that must be followed, by the bogan who lingers in all males, when attending a cricket match.

It seems that over the years, these traditions have had a few additions that make me glad I no longer attend games of cricket for the sole purpose of being festive.

You see, back when I was a boy, you went to the cricket with a group of your best chums, made a beer snake out of all your empties and proudly walked it around the ground as a sign to any attending females, that you would be worthy of taking home to meet with parents.

Looking at the pictures of the day one crowd, it is apparent that you are no longer allowed to wear a shirt when putting together your snake. If you are going to wear one, you are not allowed to do the buttons up, ensuring that everyone can see how ripped you are. Because showing more skin than the amount in Buffalo Bills skin room, is cool.

Of course, there is a large element of jealousy to me saying this, as I have the body mass of a full grown panda.

What else stood out is that you can no longer attend the cricket without a touch of bravado to your demeanor. This is an angry society we live in and unless you can handle this, you would be best suited to watch from the air conditioned members area where it is expected you will not wear your pants as a hat.

A few of the AFL boys found themselves in a spot of bother on day one whilst enjoying a beer snake at the cricket.

You must forgive two of the boys; Mark of The Year winner Jeremy Howe and Ricky Petterd, for they are Tasmanians. In Tasmania, if you attend the cricket and don't partake in a snake building exercise, you have failed your duties as a man. Punishment for this is harsh; pull the cart for a week allowing the horse to take a breather and then cough up your "top" rights, swapping ends with your sister, forcing you to "tail".

Dane Anderson. Source: Supplied

Take a look at the picture of former Tasmanian Tiger, Dane Anderson - this beer snake is a lesson in longevity.

The photo was taken on day one of the Sheffield Shield Final in 05/06 - 1pm. Dane was first to arrive at the ground at 9:45am and was also first man served, 10:00am. He was refused service at 1:15pm and kicked out of the arena at 2:00pm. Sadly, this is not an assumption.

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Right now you have to feel for the Sri Lankan cricket team. They lost their preferred keeper, Prasanna Jayawardene, for the match to a thumb injury. This has forced Sangakarra to don the gloves and it may have cost them a proper crack at winning this game and ultimately, the series.

Sangakarra is a terrific gloveman and is more than capable at this level. He has kept for Sri Lanka in some 50-odd games. But only yesterday I heard Ian Healy say that, right now, Jayawardene is the best gloveman in the world!

Would he have taken the chance off Watson late on day one? The stumping of Clarke on day two? Would that have had an impact on Australia's first innings total?

To make matters worse for The Lankans, Welegedera has pinged a string and will take no further part in the game.

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Losing a quick is tough. We saw what this did to Siddle and Hilfenhaus when Pattinson went down in Adelaide and again in Hobart when Hilfenhaus strained his side.

An increase in bowler workloads takes away from their effectiveness late in the day and then of course, late in the game.

A common saying you will hear from top order batsmen is - cash in when the bowlers are entering their third and fourth spells. This is easier to do when the opposition team is a bowler down - those third and fourth spells seem to come around a lot quicker.

Australia were fortunate in Hobart that Watson was able to bowl some extended spells and has the ability to be both a wicket taker and a defensive man. Sri Lanka do not have that option - in the most part because Watson plays for Australia and when asked to swap teams, he said "No".

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Someone stop Michael Clarke. Seriously, stop him in the street and ask him his secrets. If he begins to tell you his personal secrets, you should stop him, unless you work for a women's magazine or have a fetish for other people's secrets.

I'm not much of a stats man, but it is fair to say that being the leader of Australian cricket has been tremendous for Michael Clarke's on-field performances. How does the saying go? Happy wife, drinks with the lads down the course? Or happy life? Or something like that.

Clarke is pushing the boundary of being the best since Bradman. He eclipsed a record set by RT Ponting, for the most runs by an Australian in a calendar year. Eclipsing any record set by RT Ponting will get you the punishment in Tasmania and also have people saying your the best since The Don. 

Of course, The Don used a fence paling, plastic gloves and faced the fastest bowler the world has ever seen in Harold Larwood. The Don also walked home in the snow, wearing plastic ... we know where this is going...

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Emerton strikes late for Sydney

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Tussle ... Trent Sainsbury and Nick Montgomery pressure Blake Powell. Source: By Dean Lewins / AAP

A resurgent Sydney FC stunned A-League leaders Central Coast with Brett Emerton grabbing a late winner to seal a 1-0 victory on Thursday.

Emerton's 89th-minute winner secured the three points to lift the Sky Blues off the bottom of the ladder into ninth place.

The Sky Blues looked a different side to the one that was thumped 7-2 by the Mariners in their last encounter in what was an end-to-end clash at Allianz Stadium.

Sydney showed a sense of urgency from the start with Yairo Yau creating a chance for stand-in skipper Emerton a minute in.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	13	8	3	2	12	27
2	Adelaide	13	8	1	4	4	25
3	Western Sydney	13	6	2	5	5	20
4	Victory	12	6	2	4	-2	20
5	Perth	13	5	3	5	3	18
6	Wellington	13	4	4	5	0	16
7	Newcastle	12	5	1	6	-7	16
8	Brisbane	13	4	2	7	0	14
9	Sydney	13	4	1	8	-11	13
10	Heart	13	3	3	7	-4	12

But the Mariners attack soon began to create headaches for Sydney, easily getting past the Sky Blues defence with both the league's leading goal scorer Daniel McBreen and Joshua Rose forcing saves from Vedran Janjetovic.

Alessandro Del Piero showed his impressive skills to win the ball and go on a defence-busting run, with Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan saving his shot.

The Juventus legend looked like putting the hosts in front just before the break, causing a goal-mouth scramble with a curling corner that Trent Sainsbury did well to clear off the line.

The Sky Blues continued to pepper the Mariners goal with shots in the second half. Both Adam Griffiths and Blake Powell got the 16,887-strong crowd on their feet with dangerous strikes.

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The match was briefly interrupted in the 63rd minute when a streaker took to the field.

McBreen had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 74th minute when he found himself one-on-one with the the keeper, but Janjetovic saved the strike from point-blank range.

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Tomas Rogic could have stolen a win in the dying minutes when late substitute Mitchell Duke supplied him with a perfect cross into the box but the Mariners playmaker sent his shot over the bar.

Sydney's Rhyan Grant replied with a fierce strike that was only denied by the woodwork. Ali Abbas then played a perfect ball to Emerton with the Socceroo heading home the winner.

Frustration boiled over for the Mariners with John Hutchinson sent off in injury time after earning his second yellow card.

It got worse for the Mariners with Rogic getting a straight red card for a tackle on Grant.

"Of course we believed we could win that game,'' Sydney coach Frank Farina said. "You've got to believe that otherwise there's no point turning up.

"It was pleasing to get the result, but even more so the work ethic and the fighting they showed out there tonight.''

Graham Arnold was full of praise for the much-improved Sydney side.

"It wasn't one of our better displays,'' he said. "But give credit to Sydney, I thought they played very well tonight. It was probably the best they've played all year.

"So we have to get used to the fact that we're sitting at the top of the table and teams will lift against us.

"You saw tonight they were prepared for the fight and I think they were still hurting from the 7-2 loss and they wanted some revenge and they got it.''

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Hodge stars in win over Strikers

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Field day ... Hodge smashed the ball to all parts of Adelaide Oval. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

A top-shelf showing from vintage batsman Brad Hodge inspired Melbourne Stars to an eight-run victory against Adelaide Strikers in Thursday night's Twenty20 match in Adelaide.

T20 - Adelaide Oval

27 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Strikers 1st Innings

K. Pollard	65	43	5	4	151.16
M. Johnston	8	8	0	0	100
C. Rose	3	0	32	0	10.67

Hodge cracked a sparkling 88 from 58 balls as the Stars posted 8-175, with the Strikers finishing 4-167 in reply.

The Stars, with their fourth-consecutive win, took second spot on the KFC T20 Big Bash League ladder from Adelaide.

The Strikers never seriously threatened to reel in their target despite a star turn from Kieron Pollard (65 from 43 balls) and solid contributions from Callum Ferguson (35 from 28) and Tim Ludeman (30 from 21).

Adelaide's hopes of pinching a win before a sell-out 15,344 home crowd hinged on their gun import Pollard.

But the West Indies giant couldn't engineer a big-hitting miracle despite whacking four sixes and five fours in his unbeaten knock.

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The Strikers needed 27 to win from the final over and Pollard smashed two sixes - the biggest of the tournament so far - and a four to add respectability to his side's score.

Melbourne's import Lasith Malinga was instrumental in restricting the home side, the Sri Lankan paceman taking 1-29 from four shrewd overs.

Fellow paceman James Faulkner also claimed an important 2-32 from four overs but his teammate Hodge was the hero with a sensational performance with the bat.

Hodge underpinned the Stars' innings with the veteran dominating scoring - when dismissed in the 15th over, Hodge had made 88 of the visitors' 129 runs.

Two days shy of his 38th birthday, Hodge was vicious on all bowlers and plundered 10 fours and three sixes.

Hodge's assault set the Stars on a path towards a massive total, but when he was dismissed they lost momentum - his wicket started a slump of 6-32.

Hodge's opening partner Rob Quiney made 22 from 12 balls but no other Stars batsman passed 17 runs, while Adelaide quick Shaun Tait (2-36 from four overs) was the only multiple wicket taker for the home side.

Hodge said his match-defining innings was pleasing.

"The thing that drives me is performance, it doesn't matter what age you are," Hodge said.

"My job is to go out there and perform every time I play."

Strikers captain Johan Botha said the Stars were likely title threats.

"It wasn't our best performance and we still only lost by eight runs against a team that will be one of the contenders," he said.

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