In-form Nottinghamshire batsman Michael Lumb hit his second half century in the space of four days at the Big Bash in Australia to help the Sydney Sixers to their third win from four games at the start of the competition.

Their latest victory came in a run chase at the Adelaide Oval against the Strikers, winning by six wickets with five balls to spare in the day/night 20-over match.

And it was also a case of a mini Notts rivalry in the game, with Alex Hales up against his Trent Bridge team-mate.

But 24-year-old England opener managed to score just eight from ten balls as the home side batted first – spooning an easy catch to fellow international team-mate Ravi Bopara in the covers in the second over.

Adelaide managed 149 for seven, thanks to 46 from 30 balls from Bangladesh ace Shakib Al Hasan.

In reply, the home side removed Nic Maddison for a third-ball duck but his fellow opener Lumb stuck around until the third ball of the 14th over and this did all the damage.

Lumb, who has recently signed a lengthy contract extension with Nottinghamshire and was named the Nottingham Post's cricketer of the year at the 2013 Sports Awards, produced a strike-rate of 131.70 during his 41-ball knock of 54 – which included one four and an amazing five sixes.

When player of the match Lumb departed, caught at cover when advancing down the track to try another big hit, the score was already 103-3 and Marcus North (38) and Bopara (23no) helped see the visitors home to 150-4 after 19.1 overs.

Hales and the Strikers will look to bounce back away to the tournament's early pace-setters Melbourne Stars on Thursday, while Lumb will aim for a third 50 in a row against the Perth Scorchers at Sydney a day later.

Later in the month, the duo will be involved for England against Australia in the T20 international on January 29, 31 and February 2.