England seamer Tom Curran took career-best figures of 4-9 as Melbourne Stars thrashed Adelaide Strikers by six wickets in the Big Bash League.

Curran’s efforts saw Strikers bowled out for a mere 83, with Stars reaching their target inside 16 overs to knock their opponents out of play-off contention while sealing their post-season place.

The 30-year-old Curran, who last played for England in 2021, made the first breakthrough when he had Alex Carey caught for three in the second over.

He continued to rip through the Strikers’ top order on a challenging wicket, removing Chris Lynn and Jason Sangha before having the in-form Liam Scott caught behind for 18 as the away side slipped to 40-5 at the halfway mark.

Curran had completed his allocation, but his team-mates continued his destruction, with Mitchell Swepson dismissing Jamie Overton and Hassan Ali with consecutive deliveries in the following over.

Cameron Boyce, who top-scored with 20 and was one of just two batters to reach double figures, added 28 for the final wicket with Tabraiz Shamsi before becoming the last man to fall with three balls remaining in the visitors’ innings.

Stars were 25-2 at the end of the powerplay, losing opener Sam Harper, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, to an excellent catch by sub Mackenzie Harvey off Scott for nine, while Hassan had Campbell Kellaway caught by Overton for a duck.

Tom Rogers (32 from 40 balls) steadily took Stars towards their low target, adding 30 with Blake Macdonald (11) and 33 with Marcus Stoinis (23).

Overton had Rogers caught at mid-wicket in the 15th over then struck Stoinis on the glove, leading to his retirement, before Curran completed the job with a match-winning four.

Stars move above Perth Scorchers into second, one point behind leaders Hobart Hurricanes, with one match to play in the group stage, while sixth-placed Strikers can no longer overhaul Sydney Sixers in fourth.