Maxwell Shines with Match-Winning Knock After Test Team Omission Against Sixers
Maxwell Shines with Match-Winning Knock After Test Team Omission Against Sixers, He followed up an unbeaten half-century with two key outfield catches
Melbourne Stars 156 for 5 (Maxwell 58*, Webster 48, Abbott 3-29) beat Sydney Sixers 140 for 9 (Vince 53, Steketee 3-14, Mir 2-19, Siddle 2-26, Stoinis 2-30) by 16 runs
Glenn Maxwell Leads Melbourne Stars to Big Win
Glenn Maxwell’s brilliant performance helped the Melbourne Stars upset the Sydney Sixers by 16 runs at the MCG. This win kept the Stars’ slim hopes of reaching the BBL finals alive.
Maxwell smashed an unbeaten 58 runs, the highest of the game, and grabbed two key catches in the outfield. On the same day his Test cricket dream likely ended, the veteran allrounder showed he still has plenty to offer.
Marcus Stoinis scored just four runs, but he made up for it with the ball, taking 2 for 30. The Stars bowled out the Sixers for 140 in their chase of 156.
English batter Ben Duckett dropped James Vince when he was on 36, which looked like a costly mistake. Vince had smashed an unbeaten century just two weeks earlier when the Sixers crushed the Stars at the SCG. But this time, Maxwell didn’t miss his chance. He took a crucial high catch to dismiss Vince for 53. Maxwell celebrated with relief after almost spilling the catch.
Just two balls later, Maxwell caught Sixers captain Moises Henriques, firing up his teammates with passionate celebrations.
Stars’ Bowlers Shine
The Stars’ bowlers kept the pressure on. Usama Mir bowled brilliantly, taking 2 for 19. Jack Edwards was dismissed after a long review, as the TV umpire ruled him out on a return catch to Mir.
The Sixers were struggling at 64 for 4 halfway through their innings. Maxwell and Beau Webster rescued the Stars with an 88-run partnership. Webster, who recently shone for Australia, scored 48 and had some luck. He was dismissed on a no-ball, then dropped by Vince.
Maxwell reached 3000 career BBL runs during his quick 32-ball knock, becoming only the fifth player in league history to achieve the milestone.
Stars’ Slim Finals Chances
The game had its lighter moments, too. Play stopped briefly when a seagull was struck by a powerful shot from Vince. The Stars started the season with five straight losses but can still make the finals. They must beat the Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes in their final games and hope for other results to go their way.
The Sixers missed their chance to strengthen their spot at the top of the table. They’ll now face the Perth Scorchers at the SCG on Saturday.
