After a dismal start to the season with five consecutive losses, Melbourne Stars completed a remarkable comeback with five straight wins, culminating in a resounding victory over Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG. Glenn Maxwell’s scintillating 76 not out off 32 balls and Mark Steketee’s four-wicket haul sealed the Stars’ first BBL finals appearance since the 2019-20 season.
Needing a win to overtake Perth Scorchers and secure fourth place, the Stars delivered a dominant performance against the Hurricanes, who had already secured the top spot and were resting key players.
Openers Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers gave Stars their best start of the season with a brisk 19-run opening stand before Harper and Rogers fell cheaply. Marcus Stoinis reignited momentum with a quick-fire 32, but the stage was set for Maxwell after Stoinis’ dismissal.
Maxwell wasted no time, smashing his fourth ball for six and maintaining the aggression throughout his innings. Partnering with Beau Webster, who scored a gritty half-century, Maxwell powered the Stars past 200, thrilling the home crowd with his explosive hitting at the death.
Hurricanes Struggle with the Ball and in the Field
With little at stake, the Hurricanes experimented with their bowling lineup. Nathan Ellis bowled just one over, managing a groin issue, while Marcus Bean and Cameron Gannon endured tough outings, conceding heavily against Maxwell’s late blitz. Sloppy fielding further compounded their woes.
Steketee’s Early Strikes Sink Hurricanes
Stars’ revival has been built on consistent performances from Mark Steketee, who claimed 15 wickets in five matches. His fiery opening spell rattled the Hurricanes, removing three top-order batters, including Ben McDermott. He wrapped up the innings with figures of 4 for 24, keeping the Stars’ knockout dreams alive.
Owen’s Effort in Vain
Hurricanes’ Mitchell Owen provided brief hope with a blistering 38 off 17 balls, hammering several boundaries in the powerplay. However, his dismissal marked the beginning of the end for the Hurricanes, as they fell 40 runs short.
The win sparked celebrations at the MCG, with Maxwell and his team relishing their unexpected journey to the finals, where they will face Sydney Thunder.
Updated on 20th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.