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Melbourne Stars recorded a thrilling victory over arch-rivals Melbourne Renegades in a pulsating Big Bash League derby at the MCG on Saturday. Ben Duckett’s calm half-century set the stage for the Stars’ successful chase, securing their second successive win after a difficult start to the season.
Duckett anchors the chase for the stars
Chasing 170, the Stars faced immediate setbacks, losing two wickets in the first two overs. Thomas Rogers missed a direct delivery and Sam Harper was left without the ball after a mix-up with Duckett, leaving the Stars in trouble at 3/2.
With the game flagging, Duckett took over. The English batsman hit back with a flurry of boundaries, including two sixes from Tom Rogers, to stabilize the innings. He found a solid partner in Marcus Stoinis, who attacked from the start, racing to 24 off just 13 balls.
Duckett scored his third half-century of the season, but just when the game seemed to be under control, the Renegades fought back. Two tight overs increased the required rate, and the Stars’ decision to take the Power Surge backfired as they lost both Duckett and Stoinis in successive overs.
Maxwell and Cartwright close the deal
With the game on a knife edge, Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell stepped up. Cartwright’s six off the last ball of the Power Surge calmed nerves, and Maxwell followed up with a trademark backhand six from Will Sutherland.
In the penultimate over, Maxwell again cleared the ropes and, with eight off the last four balls needed, Cartwright delivered the killing blow. He hit a huge six of 121 metres, the biggest of the season, before sealing the match with a boundary.
The Stars reached 170/6 with three balls to spare, completing a stunning comeback after starting the season with five consecutive losses.
The fights of the renegades with the bat
Previously, the Renegades struggled to find momentum after being sent into bat. Josh Brown fell on the opener and Jake Fraser-McGurk found it difficult to get going, making just 6 off 11 balls before scoring a six and being dismissed off the next ball.
Tim Seifert’s attempt at a reverse sweep against Usama Mir saw him lose his stumps, leaving the Renegades reeling. Halfway through, his run rate was around six.
Jacob Bethell and Jonathan Wells provided some stability, adding 71 runs for the fourth wicket. However, just when the Renegades looked set for a good finish, Bethell got one and Wells went down shortly after.
Laurie Evans contributed a crucial cameo to help the Renegades to 169/7, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Stars from stealing the show.
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