The Melbourne Stars’ long search for a BBL title has started perfectly. Last year’s finalists beat the Brisbane Heat in Canberra by six goals
After limiting the heat to just 125 runs, the Stars stumbled early in the chase when Marcus Stoinis dropped out for a second balled duck and new recruit Andre Fletcher for 12.
But Glenn Maxwell (46 of 26) teamed up well with Hilton Cartwright (46 * of 42) to make the pursuit easy and win the match with 17 balls left.
MATCH CENTER: Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat, scoreboard, video
The ONLY place to watch every game of the 2020/21 KFC BBL season live and without commercial breaks during the game is Fox Cricket, which is available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now and start streaming right away>
Maxwell cuts up heat
1:05
The stars won the throw and sent the heat to the beat first, before former Australian all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile delivered a first innings masterclass.
He got the best numbers of his career from 4 to 10 and got two runouts from his own bowling to add to six Heat layoffs.
One of his wickets was Chris Lynn, who failed to get going in a Run-a-Ball 20.
TOM MORRIS AND BRENTON CHERRY DISSECT THE STATUS OF THE AUSTRALIAN LIMITED OVERS CRICKET
To listen, tap here or subscribe to ITUNES or SPOTIFY
CONTINUE READING
“You will do it”: the creepy warning of the Indian legend for Will Pucovski
“Never discriminate against age”: Langer throws a shock selection curveball
“Can’t Lose It”: Michael Clarke’s passionate plea for a controversial cricket debate
Langer’s secret health hell: “I felt seasick and drunk for 10 months.”
Stoinis was stunned at the 2nd ball
0:12
The Heat’s top scorer was Tom Cooper, bowled by Dilbar Hussain for 26 years.
Hussain then had a hat trick after Simon Milenko was caught at the border on the next ball.
From there the tail showed little resistance with any of the last five batsmen of the Heat for less than ten runs.
Stoinis only held two balls in the chase before a brilliant outswinger from Xavier Bartlett found his advantage. The stars then fought on with the wickets of Fletcher and Ben Dunk (6), who left the side at 3-34 after 6.1 overs.
Coulter-Nils magical night
1:19
At this point, three Maxwell sixes and three fours were stabilizing the ship, while Cartwright ended up unbeaten at 46 as the Stars overtook the winning runs in the 18th.
The Heat had a special moment when debutant Jack Wood won the Dunk wicket with his first ball in the BBL.
His second wicket was none other than Maxwell, who was bowled late in the game.
Nice ball, better mustache
0:37
Cartwright shatters stumps
0:39
.
