Haris Rauf shines as Stars go top with dominant win over Thunder

Haris Rauf fiery bowling display powered Melbourne Stars to the top of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 standings after a commanding nine-wicket win over Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval on Sunday.

Rauf set the tone early, returning impressive figures of 3 for 29 as the Thunder struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat. His pace and accuracy ripped through the middle order, keeping the Stars unbeaten in the competition this season.

Chasing a modest target of 129, the Stars made light work of the task, reaching the total with 36 balls to spare. Joe Clarke led the chase with a fluent 60 off 37 deliveries, while Sam Harper remained unbeaten on 29 and Glenn Maxwell sealed the victory in style with a quickfire 39 not out from just 20 balls.

Earlier, the Thunder innings failed to gain traction. Openers Sam Konstas and Matt Gilkes provided a brief spark, racing to 23 without loss in the opening two overs, but both were dismissed in quick succession. Gilkes, after surviving two close chances, eventually fell to Rauf.

David Warner briefly lifted the crowd with a towering six onto the Manuka Oval roof but was dismissed on the very next delivery, leaving the Thunder struggling at 64 for 4 halfway through the innings. Rauf struck again to remove Sam Billings just as the English batter began to settle, before claiming his third wicket when Chris Green flicked a catch to short fine leg.

New recruit Mitchell Swepson supported Haris Rauf effectively, picking up 2 for 18, including a wicket with his first ball and trapping Cameron Bancroft lbw. Unable to recover from the early setbacks, the Thunder finished on a below-par total and suffered their first defeat of the season after three wins, while the Stars continued their dominant run.