Twitter Reactions: Marcus Stoinis leads Melbourne Stars to their second victory
The Stars won with 13 balls to spare.
Melbourne Stars started this season’s Big Bash League (BBL) with two losses out of three games. But at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the team, captained by Glenn Maxwell, brushed aside Melbourne Renegades by eight wickets. On the other hand, the Renegades lost their second match in a row after their loss against Sydney Sixers and are hanging midway in the points table.
Renegades put on a respectable score
The Stars won the toss and opted to bowl first, but it faltered initially. Sam Harper and Mackenzie cobbled together a stand of 52 runs in five overs. Marcus Stoinis picked up Harvey to strike first blood. In the very next over, leg-break bowler Adam Zampa rattled Harper’s woodwork after the wicketkeeper scored 30 runs from 16 balls with five boundaries. The Renegades lost their way thereafter.
In the next 15 overs, Tom Cooper’s team could only score 96 runs. After the impressive start, they were reduced to 80/5 in 11 overs. Daniel Christian, who scored 32 from 28 balls, and Beau Webster with 19 at a run-a-ball put on 50 for the sixth wicket in 40 balls. The Renegades could only muster 148. Dwayne Bravo finished with three wickets while Scott Boland and Stonis got rid of a couple of batters.
Stoinis powers the Stars
The target wasn’t daunting, but something which the Stars couldn’t have afforded to take lightly. Stoinis and the left-handed Ben Dunk started the run-chase with an opening partnership of 67 runs from 48 balls that laid the platform for the Stars. Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce accounted for the wicket of Dunk, who racked up 32 runs with three boundaries. Nick Larkin succumbed to a horrendous run-out.
At the other end, Stoinis carried on in his own merry way and he had skipper Maxwell as his partner. The experienced pair added 65 runs off 40 balls to dent the Renegades’ hopes. Boyce nipped out Maxwell after he scored 33 runs from 22 balls with the Stars’ needing eight runs. Stoinis remained not out on 78 runs from 49 balls with four fours and as many sixes. The Stars won with 13 balls to spare.
Here is how Twitter hailed the Stars
Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.
Download Our App