STA VS HUR T20S

Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. Melbourne Stars move up to fourth in the points table, whereas Hobart Hurricanes need to come back stronger, as they have only won a single game so far in this campaign. The Big Bash League action continues on 29th December 2023, when Melbourne Renegades will be taking on Adelaide Strikers in match number 18. The first ball will be at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). Do join us early for the build-up. Take care and goodbye!

Glenn Maxwell wins the Player of the Match award for his stellar performance. He says that he wanted to do well with the ball. The rain earlier made the ball skid a bit and it worked well in their favour. During the second innings he wanted to stick to his plan and play good cricket shots. He adds that it took time to adjust to the wicket and then took the game from there. He mentions he is happy to have two wins and that he will look forward to continuing his form for further wins. He informs that his hand was hurt from that shot of Corey Anderson but it will be okay.

Hobart Hurricanes will be gutted. If they would have held on to a couple of catches, then it could certainly have been a completely different game. Riley Meredith started this innings with a loosener but came back strongly by striking twice in the very first over. Soon, Nathan Ellis joined the party as he got rid of Hilton Cartwright in the very next over and Melbourne Stars were put under pressure. The new-ball bowlers made the most of the conditions and set the tone for their innings, Although, the rest of the pack could not really do any similar kind of damage. They did create the wicket-taking opportunities but the fielders could not back them really well. Cricket is not just about batting and bowling. Fielding plays a crucial role, and we can see why.

We lost a little over 55 minutes due to rain and the circumstances changed drastically for both the teams. Stars showed confidence in their big names, changed the batting order and rightly so, as they needed to chase down 67 runs in 7 overs. So, the big show thought of putting up a short show, but ended up watching a horror show as Melbourne Stars ended up losing two wickets in the first over. Sam Harper and Marcus Stoinis were the first two batters who were sent back on a duck. In the very next over Hilton Cartwright had to make his way back as well. It did not get better straightaway when Glenn Maxwell got the strike, he was trying to hurt Hobart Hurricanes inside the Powerplay but hardly managed to put the ball in the stands. Despite of all this, he remained calm, and backed himself throughout this run chase. Waited for the ball to get old and then started hammering it away. An important knock of 35 runs off 18 deliveries, although most importantly he found an able partner in Thomas Rogers, who was the silent assassin with his 14-ball 21. The pair stitched a 61-run stand to take their side home.

Hobart Hurricanes got off to a perfect start for their defense but two men put their hand up for Melbourne Stars. Kept their nerves and took the game away from the hosts. It was full of chaos in this 7-over run chase.

Glenn Maxwell has sealed the game! Corey Anderson delivers it fuller and on the off side. Glenn Maxwell reverse-sweeps it to point. The fielder fails to collect the ball cleanly and it deflects from him rolling away towards the third man region. The fielder chases it down but the batters run three in the process. What an interesting encounter.

On shorter length over off. Thomas Rogers pulls it towards deep mid-wicket but they only get a single. Glenn Maxwell on strike.

Starts off well! Corey Anderson bowls it on a tough length and over off. Thomas Rogers pushes it to the left of the bowler and refuses to run a risky single.

It is going to the last over! Short and around off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to the fielder at point for a valuable dot ball.

Very full again outside off. Glenn Maxwell digs it out to the left of the bowler an refuses to run one.

Almost a yorker on the stumps. Thomas Rogers drives it to long off for a single. Glenn Maxwell on strike.

FOUR! DROPPED! Nathan Ellis delivers it slow and outside off. Thomas Rogers slaps it through the hands of the fielder at covers all the way racing away to the fence for a boundary. It was a tough chance but a dropped one.

Another dot ball! Nathan Ellis delivers it full and outside off. Thomas Rogers swings and misses. Valuable dot balls here.

On a very good length around off. Thomas Rogers dances down the track and slaps it to covers for a dot ball.

SIX! PUNISHED! Patrick Dooley goes full and down leg. Glenn Maxwell brings out his trademark reverse sweep and he connects well. The ball sails away into the crowd for a big maximum. Superb batting.

Drifts it down the leg side. It is an extra run and an extra ball for the Melbourne Stars.