STR VS STA MATCH 23

Right then, that's all from this game. On New Year's Day, we have a doubleheader lined up in the Big Bash League 2022-23. The first game of the day sees Melbourne Renegades take on Perth Scorchers at the Docklands Stadium. That game will begin at 8.10 am IST (2.40 am GMT). It will be followed by Brisbane Heat taking on 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. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Marcus Stoinis is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 74 runs in just 35 deliveries.

The win was set up by the Melbourne Stars batters as they posted a healthy total on the board courtesy of a good opening partnership and an outstanding half-century from Marcus Stoinis. Three wickets from Wes Agar helped Adelaide Strikers to keep the score under 200 and Henry Thornton added two more wickets to his tournament tally. The wicket looked good for batting and things could have easily gone south for the visitors but they managed to take timely wickets and never let the hosts get ahead of the game. A much-needed win for Melbourne Stars and they well be eager to begin the new year just the way the have ended this one.

Adelaide Strikers were looking to be positive from the word go and the early wicket of Matthew Short did not dent their intent as Chris Lynn joined Henry Hunt to add 43 runs in 28 balls for the second wicket. The wicket of Chris Lynn did bring the scoring rate down as Adam Hose could not get going right away. However, he got into the groove after getting through the initial period of indecisiveness and soon began taking the bowlers apart. Henry Hunt was dismissed one run short of a well-deserved half-century after making a 74-run partnership with Adam Hose and Colin de Grandhomme and Thomas Kelly departing on consecutive deliveries soon after. Adam Hose remained unbeaten on 56 and Rashid Khan played a handy cameo of 24 in 14 balls but it was not enough to get them over the finish line.

Melbourne Stars started off well while defending a strong target with Trent Boult claiming a wicket in the very first over but could not make the most of this advantage as they began leaking runs freely. The introduction of spinners resulted in a wicket as Adam Zampa took a wicket in his first over and this helped the visitors put a plug on the scoring. They lacked the penetration to claim wickets thereafter and their opponents were able to take the game deep. Beau Webster broke a dangerous partnership and Liam Hatcher claimed two wickets in two balls to get them right back into the game. Things did get interesting towards the end but Luke Wood managed to hold his nerve in the last over and helped his team seal a crucial win.

Adelaide Strikers have shown remarkable fight but have fallen short of the target! The crowd has witnessed a cracker of a game but will be disappointed that the home team has lost by 8 runs in this high-scoring affair. Melbourne Stars have managed to get over the line and register just their second win of this campaign which could kick-start their season as the year comes to an end. The home side has now suffered their third consecutive defeat after winning their first three games and will have to figure out how they can change things up to stop the slide.

A pacy delivery on a length on middle, Adam Hose tries to slog across the line but misses. Melbourne Stars win by 8 runs!

Slower and fuller outside off by Luke Wood, Rashid Khan gets across to smash it on the off side but gets deceived by the pace. Mishits it towards mid-wicket for a single. That should do it for Melbourne Stars.

Luke Wood bowls a full toss outside off, Rashid Khan tries to slice this one but can only hit to deep cover for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Luke Wood bowls this one back of a length and wide outside off, Rashid Khan picks the length early and slaps this one to the right of deep cover for a boundary.

Luke Wood nails the yorker outside off, Rashid Khan shuffles across to go through covers but fails to get underneath it.

Luke Wood bowls a low full toss outside off, Adam Hose drives this one but fails to get it past extra cover and has to settle for a single.

FOUR! Smart batting by Rashid Khan! Marcus Stoinis bowls a yorker outside off, Rashid Khan opens the bat face and steers this one right between the keeper and short third man to collect a boundary. Adelaide Strikers need 17 off the last over.

SIX! Cracking shot! Marcus Stoinis bowls this one full and on middle, Rashid Khan shuffles across and gets inside the line to swat this one towards the square leg fence for a maximum.

Banged in short outside off by Marcus Stoinis, Rashid Khan stays in the crease and tries to hammer this one on the leg side but misses.

Leg bye! Full and drifting down the leg side, Adam Hose goes for a mighty heave but misses. The ball rolls off his pads to the left of keeper for a single.

FOUR! Marcus Stoinis follows the batter and bowls this one full and at the pads, Adam Hose uses the pace of the delivery and helps it past short fine leg for a boundary.

Marcus Stoinis bowls a cutter, full and outside off, Rashid Khan drills this one down to long off for a single.