Vintage batsman Brad Hodge produced a top-shelf 88 to help Melbourne Stars set the Adelaide Strikers 176 runs to win Thursday night’s Twenty20 match in Adelaide.
Hodge plundered 10 fours and three sixes in his 58-ball knock as the Stars amassed 8-175 from 20 overs.
Adelaide quick Shaun Tait (2-36 from four overs) was the only multiple wicket taker.
Hodge, two days shy of his 38th birthday, was on song against off-key bowlers in the clash between the third-placed Stars and second-placed Strikers, who are equal on ladder points.
Hodge and Rob Quiney (22 from 12 balls) set an aggressive tone with a 46 run opening partnership from five overs before Quiney was bowled by spinner Brad Young (1-27).
Hodge continued the assault, reaching his half-century from only 39 balls, before finally being caught on the mid wicket boundary in the 15th over.
David Hussey (17), Cameron White (13) and Glenn Maxwell (11) then all swung hard but the Stars lost 6-32 in a spell started by Hodge’s dismissal.