Match 23, Brisbane, December 27, 2021, 03:35 PM
Melbourne Stars
207/9(20.0ov)
Brisbane Heat
187/9(20.0ov)
Melbourne Stars beat Brisbane Heat by 20 runs
That it is from the coverage of this game! However, the action in the Big Bash League continues as Sydney Thunder take on Perth Scorchers on Tuesday, 28th December, 2021 at Manuka Oval, Canberra. This clash will begin at 7.15 pm local (8.15 am GMT), but as you know, the buildup will begin well in advance. So make sure you join us for the same. Cheers!
Joe Clarke is the Player of the Match, he talks about his injury and says that he was running with Hilton Cartwright who is very quick between the wickets. He hopes that the injury is not that serious. He adds that it was not ideal to lose three wickets early but was happy to get a good score in the end. He mentions that they took the Power Surge to keep the momentum going. On asked about Andre Russell not being there after this game, Clarke says that player of the calibre of Russell will be missed and hopes that they can see him soon in BBL.
Melbourne Stars got off to a dream start with the ball as they got two wickets in the first over and that set the tone for the rest of the match. However, they were unable to keep things in check against Ben Duckett and Chris Lynn as they started scoring at a brisk rate. Nathan Coulter-Nile provided the much-needed breakthrough by sending back Duckett and the Stars came storming back into the contest. Qais Ahmad bowled really well and he got three wickets. Adam Zampa was taken for some runs but he got a wicket in the end as well. All in all, it was a dominating performance from Melbourne Stars after Hilton Cartwright and Joe Clarke fought back well in the first innings.
Chasing a total of over 200 was also going to be a challenge and Brisbane Heat did not start well either. They lost couple of wickets in the first over and were put under pressure. However, Ben Duckett came out with intent and smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Chris Lynn held one end and batted sensibly. Just as it was looking like the Heat would chase it down, Duckett perished and then all the onus was on Lynn. He hit a couple of lusty blows to get to his fifty but he too got out while trying to up the ante and Brisbane Heat were in deep trouble. Once Lynn departed, nothing went Brisbane Heat's way and they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Sam Heazlett tried his best to get close to the target but he kept losing partners and Brisbane Heat were handed a defeat.
A comfortable win for Melbourne Stars in the end and they would be extremely happy with this result! Brisbane Heat would be disappointed as they looked on course to chase down the total when Chris Lynn and Ben Duckett were out in the middle but they lost their way at the fag end and fell short.
In over# 20
4
1
1
1wd
0
6
1wd
1
Andre Russell 22/0(2)
19.6
4
FOUR! CRUNCHED! Full ball, outside off. Liam Guthrie drills it back past the bowler and the ball races away to the fence. Melbourne Stars WIN THE MATCH BY 20 RUNS!
19.5
1
A full ball, on middle. Rahman tries to reverse sweep but gets a toe end of his blade to cover.
19.4
1
Fuller slower ball, outside off. Liam Guthrie gets the inside half of his blade towards square leg for a single.
19.4
1wd
WIDE! Short ball, outside off. Liam Guthrie looks to get some bat on it but misses. Wide called for height.
19.3
.
Back of a length, outside off. Liam Guthrie swings hard but does not get any bat on it.
19.2
6
SIX! That is a clean strike! Too little, too late for Brisbane Heat though! Length ball, in the slot, around middle. Liam Guthrie clears his front leg and smokes it over long on for a biggie.
19.2
1wd
Wide! Fuller and wider, outside off. Liam Guthrie lets it be and the umpire signals a wide.
19.1
1
Full ball, outside off. Mujeeb Ur Rahman drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
In over# 19
0W
4
1
0
1
4
Qais Ahmad 26/3(4)
18.6
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Good catch in the deep by Glenn Maxwell! A full ball, on off. Matthew Kuhnemann gets under it and hits this quite well towards long off. Glenn Maxwell at long off takes a good catch near the ropes and Stars need just one wicket to bundle out Brisbane Heat here. Liam Guthrie is the last man in.
18.5
4
FOUR! Another good shot! A fuller ball on off. Matthew Kuhnemann hits it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary.
18.4
1
A full ball, on off. Rahman heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
18.3
.
A quicker delivery on leg. Rahman looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes to the keeper. An appeal but no damage done.