The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) In his 34th match, he witnessed a master class in psychological warfare BBL|15 as Melbourne Stars hosted Adelaide Strikers January 13, 2026. In a high-stakes encounter where every run counts, it wasn’t just the swinging ball or the swinging pitch that dictated the course of the game – it was the conversation behind the stumps. In a sequence that has since gone viral, the keeper of the stars Sam Harper It produced one of the most clinical mind games in Big Bash history and led to his downfall. Lloyd Pope.
Sam Harper’s sloppy slog gets the better of Lloyd Pope in BBL|15
The defining moment of the first innings came in the 14th over, with Adelaide Strikers trailing by 55/8. Papa drew his guard against leg spin Mitchell SwepsonHarper decided to turn up the volume. Recognizing Pope’s weakness and the Raiders’ desperate need for a run, Harper began a relentless verbal barrage designed to drive the tailback into an ego-driven blunder.
“Come on, Lloyd. Charge up, big six!” Harper’s voice echoed over the stump microphone, bravado masquerading as encouragement. The bait is set. In the top fourth ball (13.4), the Pope succumbed to the pressure. Trying to resist the challenges, Pope was looking for a big shot over the line as he went down the track.
However, Swepson was on board, delivering a generous fly ball with a sharp turn and bounce. The Pope was thoroughly beaten, closed only by thin air. Harper collected the ball cleanly, anticipating the overload, and whipped the bails with clinical precision. Pope was sent packing for a 5-ball duck, leaving the Strikers in absolute tatters at 55/9.
We present the video:
“Come on, Lloyd. Charge up, big six!”
Sam Harper gets in the ear of Lloyd Pope and he drops the next ball 🫣 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/6MuQuQFo3V
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 13, 2026
Also READ: Chris Green sizzled as Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Renegades in a rain-soaked clash
Melbourne Stars bundle out Adelaide Strikers for just 83 runs
Pope’s sacking was the final nail in the coffin for an Adelaide Strikers side that has never quite caught on. Bat selection was initially disastrous as was the bowling unit led by the Stars Tom Curran and Swepson dismantled the highest order with surgical efficiency.
When did sedimentation begin early? Alex Carey He fell to just 3 in the second, quickly followed by a prize wicket Chris Lynn (2) who unsuccessfully challenged the LBW decision. At the end of the first Powerplay (over 4.0), the Strikers were breathing at 14/2. The middle order offered no resistance; captain Matthew Short Caught behind for 8 and Jason Sangha managed only 3.
The scorecard told the sad story of the march to and from the pavilion:
Curran was the early destroyer, finishing with remarkable figures of 4/10, while Swepson took advantage of the pressure on the scoreboard, including the curling wicket of Pope, claiming 3/22. Marcus Stoinis finishing the innings at 19.3, clearing the tail Cameron Boyce (20), leaving the Strikers with a paltry total of 83.
Despite the fact that the attackers enthusiastically started the second innings, with Hasan Ali and Liam Scott Removal of Harper and Campbell Kellaway early – Stars remain heavy favourites. With a total of 84 targets, the Melbourne Stars made this BBL clash a demonstration of how the mental pressure of a 150km/h yorker can be lethal.
Also READ: Sam Harper’s thrilling 84 propels Melbourne Stars to a big win over Melbourne Renegades.
