Sports

BBL|14 [Twitter reactions]: Glenn Maxwell propels Melbourne Stars into the playoffs with victory over Hobart Hurricanes

By Sandy Verma

The Melbourne Stars secured their place in the playoffs of the Big Bash League 2024/25 with a comprehensive 40-run victory over the Hobart Hurricanes. Glenn Maxwell was named Player of the Match for his astonishing knock of 76 not out.

Table toppers Hobart Hurricanes faced defeat

After electing to bat first, the Stars posted a formidable 219/5 in their 20 overs, powered by Beau Webster’s aggressive 51 off 31 deliveries and contributions from Maxwell, who top-scored with an unbeaten 76 off 32 balls. The Stars showcased their depth in batting, with Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis also chipping in with crucial runs. In response, the Hurricanes struggled to chase down the target, falling short at 179/10 in 19.3 overs. Mark Steketee was the chief destroyer for the Stars, picking up four wickets for just 24 runs, supported by Usama Mir and Tom Curran who bagged two wickets each. Despite Tim David’s quickfire 40 off 22 balls, the Hurricanes failed to maintain the required run-rate, losing wickets at regular intervals, which led to their downfall.

BBL 14 journey ends for Perth Scorchers

This victory not only propelled Stars to the fourth spot on the points table but also kept their unbeaten streak intact, with five consecutive wins that have now secured a playoff berth. The Hurricanes, despite the loss, remain at the top of the table with 15 points but missed the opportunity to extend their lead. This result not only highlights the Stars’ resurgence in the league but also marks a significant setback for the Hurricanes, who will now look to regroup ahead of the playoffs. With this win, the Stars now face Sydney Thunder in the ‘Knockout’ round on January 22, determined to extend their journey further in the competition. Meanwhile Perth Scorchers journey ended in the tournament with the defeat of Hurricanes.

Melbourne Stars’ all-round performance proves too much for Hurricanes

In the 40th match of BBL 14 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Stars put on a stellar display with both bat and ball, setting a daunting target of 220 runs for the Hurricanes to chase. Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers laid a solid foundation early on, putting the Stars on track with a steady 30-run partnership. However, it was Webster who accelerated the innings, hitting boundaries at will and amassing 51 off just 31 balls to inject momentum into the Stars’ innings.

Maxwell’s calm and composed innings at the end further stabilized the innings, allowing the Stars to post a massive 219/5. His masterful 76 not out from just 32 deliveries, punctuated with five boundaries and six sixes, exhibited his class and proved to be the game-changer. The Stars’ middle and lower order provided just enough firepower to set a daunting target for the Hurricanes.

On the bowling front, the Stars kept the pressure on from the start, with Steketee wreaking havoc in the powerplay, dismissing key batters Caleb Jewell and Ben McDermott. Steketee’s four-wicket haul was instrumental in derailing the Hurricanes’ chase, as they never truly recovered from those early setbacks.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Sandy Verma 754 posts 0 comments
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed.