STR VS STA MATCH 20

Right then, that's all from this game. On New Year's Day, we have a doubleheader lined up in the Big Bash League 2023–24. The day's first game will see the Hobart Hurricanes take on the Sydney Thunder at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart. That game will begin at 10.30 am IST (5.00 am GMT). It will be followed by the Brisbane Heat taking on the Sydney Sixers at The Gabba, and that game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. We look forward to your company in the new year. Cheers!

Marcus Stoinis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 55 runs from 19 balls. He says that it was good fun batting in the middle. Mentions that the guys set it up nicely for him to come out and start swinging. Mentions that it all changed with the partnership between Glenn Maxwell and Beau Webster, which was a brilliant one and helped him to express himself when he came out to bat. Closes by saying that it feels great to play in front of around 40 thousand people.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after being inserted into bat, D'Arcy Short got off the blocks quickly and got the Adelaide Strikers off to a breezy start. Coming in at number 3, Chris Lynn took the innings forward with Matthew Short. Both batters matched each other shot for shot and unleashed their onslaught all over the park. With both batters well set, the stage was set at the halfway mark to go big. However, Short got out on 56 which opened the door for Melbourne Stars to claw their way back into the game. The rest of the bowling unit chipped in as well to restrict the Strikers to a lower total. Glenn Maxwell was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 21 from his 3 overs.

Having lost the momentum with the bat, Adelaide Strikers needed to start well with the ball. However, they failed to do so and the pressure was put on them early on by Dan Lawrence. They managed to see the back of him but could not stem the flow of runs nor did they manage to pick up wickets in the middle phase. They allowed partnerships to build during that phase and even though, they nipped Glenn Maxwell in the bud, they just could not build the pressure. In the end, the Melbourne Stars cruised to victory as the Strikers found no answers to the brilliance of Beau Webster and Marcus Stoinis.

In pursuit of 206, Dan Lawrence set the tone for the Melbourne Stars and even though, his opening partner was dismissed early, he carried on. Playing in his first game of the season, Lawrence was dismissed on 50 which brought Beau Webster out to the middle. Webster took the game by the scruff of the neck and ensured that the Stars did not derail in their run chase. He found an able alley in Glenn Maxwell but the skipper could not bat through till the end. Webster carried on his merry way and soon brought up his fifty off 38 balls. Marcus Stoinis joined him and unleashed himself all around the park just as he did a year ago on New Year's Eve against the same opponents. There was no stopping him and brought up his fifty off just 19 balls to take the Melbourne Stars home with an over to spare.

Marcus Stoinis has done it again for the Melbourne Stars on New Year's Eve! The Hulk has helped the Stars successfully pull off their highest run chase in Big Bash League history! Melbourne Stars win three in a row and end 2023 with a bang! As for Adelaide Strikers, they lost their way towards the second half of their batting effort which has eventually come back to haunt them. The Strikers' fans will go home disappointed on New Year's Eve but they have been treated to a great game of cricket.

SIX! Marcus Stoinis wraps it up with a perfect coating of a maximum. Another full toss on the pads, Marcus Stoinis lofts it over the mid-wicket region for a maximum to end the game as the Melbourne Stars have won it by 7 wickets and an over to spare.

SIX! An absolute ripper from Marcus Stoinis. Full toss on leg, Marcus Stoinis stands his ground and smashes it way behind the fence for a maximum.

FOUR! The Hulk has smashed it away for a boundary. On a length on middle, Marcus Stoinis lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary down the ground.

Low full toss in middle, Marcus Stoinis flicks it to deep mid-wicket and collects a couple. Big delivery up next.

SIX! A costly miss for James Bazley. Wide yorker missed by an inch and Marcus Stoinis has helped it over the cover fence for a maximum.

Right in the block hole. Marcus Stoinis could do nothing but block this out.

Who will bowl the penultimate over? It will be James Bazley. He has conceded 16 runs in his 2 overs. Melbourne Stars need 19 runs off the last 12 balls!

Too full on middle, Beau Webster blocks it out.

Yorker in middle, Marcus Stoinis pushes it to the mid on fielder and takes a single.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Wes Agar has darted a beamer and Marcus Stoinis has scooped it for a boundary with a flick over short fine leg fielder. Free Hit coming next.

FOUR! Over-pitched on off, Marcus Stoinis plays it with the bottom hand as he lofts it over the mid on fielder for a boundary.