'Sweepologist' aided by new-found clarity

It's not every day you can say you batted alongside your childhood hero. It's even rarer to say you outdid him in the heat of the battle.

But that's just what Adelaide Strikers batsman Alex Ross can claim after propelling his side to a match-winning total against Melbourne Stars last Friday, in concert with idol and Strikers captain Brad Hodge.

Ross scored a rapid 65 from only 31 balls in a 115-run fifth-wicket stand with Hodge, lifting the Strikers from a precarious 4-64 in the 10th over to a commanding 5-179 when he departed with four balls remaining in the innings.

Quick single: Relieved Lumb happy to move on

He followed up with another impressive performance in Perth three days later, scoring 38 off 29 to help the Strikers topple the reigning champions.

"It's nice when you're hitting them well but it's good to bat alongside Brad Hodge who is a childhood hero of mine," Ross told reporters after play in Adelaide on Friday.

"Just growing up, watching him, the way he bats at the end, I tried to model my game a little bit on that too.

"He's great to bat with and a calming influence out there."

Watch: Ross razzles and dazzles

Hodge, both captain and assistant coach at the Strikers this summer, has scored the second-most T20 runs in the short history of the format, sitting behind only West Indies master blaster Chris Gayle.

And while Hodge has scored 6,717 runs in T20 cricket with every shot in Don Bradman's 'The Art of Cricket' and then some, there's no doubt his young apprentice has already mastered one stroke better than the 40-year-old.

Dubbed the 'Sweepologist' by former Australia fast bowler and Channel Ten Sport commentator Damien Fleming (who also dubbed himself the Bowlologist) for his excessive use of the sweep shot, Ross employed the stroke with maximum effect throughout his whirlwind knock.

"It's something I've done since I was a kid, and then I went on to play hockey as well," Ross said about his favourite shot.

"So you can probably see there's a little bit of that in there. That helps and if I can keep scoring runs with it, I will keep using it."

Watch: Ross builds on sizzling form

But where Ross has really excelled this summer is the clarity provided by his two new mentors at domestic level.

Last season both the Strikers and West End Redbacks were coached by former Victorian gloveman Darren Berry, but in 2015-16 Jamie Siddons has the reins at South Australia and Jason Gillespie the wheel with Adelaide.

Ross says his improved form is down to understanding his role and the relaxed atmposphere his new coaches have instilled.

"My role is pretty clear on what I have to do and that helps, that gives you clarity to go out and perform," he said.

"Coaches are a lot different. Dizz is a lot more laid back and wants you to just go out and play.

"And Jaime, although he gives you freedom, is a lot more involved in terms of batting, probably because he's a bit more of a batsman in his day.

"Just the idiosyncrasies of each coach."