Twitter Reactions: Liam Hatcher, Marcus Stoinis and Nick Larkin assist Stars clinch Melbourne derby

The forgettable run for the Melbourne Renegades continues in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 as Melbourne Stars handed them the ninth defeat of the season in the 42nd game of the league. Having elected to bat after the toss, the Renegades failed to impress again as they finished with a mere 150 runs on the board to defend.

After demoting himself down the order in the previous game, Aaron Finch meddled with his batting position again as he opened the innings, only to score a 2-ball duck, and being cleaned up by his countryman Glenn Maxwell. Shaun Marsh and Sam Harper looked in great control during their 78-run second-wicket alliance, however, the rate of scoring, much like always, remained a concern for the Renegades.

Renegades misfire again

Their stand was brought to halt by Stanlake as Marsh, who only hit a single boundary and a six in his 21-ball 24, holed out to Andre Fletcher at deep midwicket. Zahir Khan then struck to knock over James Fraser-McGurk for 2 before Mackenzie Harvey, who scored 29 from 17, with a couple of sixes and fours, joined Harper to provide the dying innings some momentum.

Harvey seemed to be the lone batsman who was able to score freely, however, much to Renegades’ disappointment, they lost him at the wrong time as he missed to middle Liam Hatcher’s length ball that crashed into his stumps. Panting to gain some momentum, the Renegades invoked the Power Surge, but even that to no avail: they scored a paltry 15 from the two-over period. Hatcher, who got three wickets, alongside Adam Zampa and Zahir Khan wiped off the tail to dismiss the Renegades all out for 150.

Stoinis-Larkin set up the chase for Stars

In a hunt of just 151 for the win, Marcus Stoinis and Nick Larkin set up the chase nicely before Glenn Maxwell and Nic Maddinson chipped in with their cameos. The roles of Andre Fletcher, who was coming on the back of a sensational 89-run knock, and Marcus Stoinis seemed reversed. While it was Stoinis who was struggling to find himself moving in the previous game, Fletcher (7 from 11) fell to the same disease as he failed to hit even a single boundary and was caught at point by Fraser-McGurk off Sutherland.

Having added 25 with Fletcher, Stoinis, who scored 43 from 32, involved himself with Larkin in a 37-run stand for the second wicket before Peter Hatzoglou knocked his stumps off. Though Stoinis’ end dented the momentum for Stars for a brief while, Larkin (43 from 32) ensured that the required rate did not go out of their reach. Glenn Maxwell, who has not had the best of season, struggled to get going again as he faced 19 deliveries for his 20 before Richardson got him caught by Hatzoglou.

A 15-ball 20 from Nic Maddinson alongside Hilton Cartwright’s 12, however, proved sufficient for the Stars to clinch the game after Larkin holed out Richardson to point in the 17th over. With the win, Stars climbed to the third spot on the table, whereas Renegades, who have lost 9 out 11 have almost lost all the chances of making it ahead.

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