Adil Rashid moves Adelaide Strikers top of BBL

Adil Rashid claimed three Perth Scorchers wickets to help move Adelaide Strikers top of the Big Bash League with a 36-run victory.

The England leg spinner (3-23) produced a tidy spell to keep the Scorchers at bay at the Gabba, after a solid display with the bat from the Strikers' top four.

Rashid accounted for Ashton Agar (18) in the ninth over, before dismissing England team-mate David Willey, who had threatened to lead a late charge with 31 runs off 17 deliveries, and Andrew Tye (0) in the space of three balls.

A successful day for the Strikers began with Mahela Jayawardene (57) leading the way with the bat on their way to 174-2.

Jayawardene enjoyed an 84-run opening stand with Tim Ludeman (30), before Travis Head (51 not out) and Brad Hodge (30no) continued the Strikers' progress after the veteran Sri Lankan's dismissal, the latter launching Willey (0-54) for successive sixes in the penultimate over.

In response, Perth made a stuttering start as Shaun Marsh (4) and Marcus Harris (4) both departed inside the opening three overs – with the score only on 10.

Ashton Turner (19), Cameron Bancroft (17) and Agar (18) all scored quickly as the visitors worked their way back into the game, before Willey put them in with a chance of victory.

Three poor deliveries were duly launched into the stands over deep midwicket as Willey raced to 31, but he could only pick out Alex Ross on the boundary off his international team-matewas undone by his international colleague and an outstanding catch from Alex Ross on the boundary.

As wickets quickly began to fall the Scorchers' hopes faded, Kane Richardson (2-21) completing the Strikers' win as he rocked back Brad Hogg's (0) leg stump.