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Ben Duckett and Marcus Stoinis played crucial roles in the Melbourne Stars’ chase of 169, guiding their team through a challenging pursuit after a shaky start. The Stars were in trouble at 41 for 3, but Duckett and Stoinis combined for a vital 83-run partnership that put them back on course. With 57 runs needed […]
Ben Duckett and Marcus Stoinis played crucial roles in the Melbourne Stars’ chase of 169, guiding their team through a challenging pursuit after a shaky start. The Stars were in trouble at 41 for 3, but Duckett and Stoinis combined for a vital 83-run partnership that put them back on course. With 57 runs needed from 42 balls, they looked to be in control, but quick wickets from the Renegades left the match finely poised, as nerves began to set in for the Stars.
The pressure mounted as the game entered the final over, with the Stars requiring 10 runs to win. Tom Rogers, the Renegades bowler, executed two perfect yorkers to start the over, leaving the Stars needing 8 runs off the final four balls. The tension in the air was palpable as the outcome seemed uncertain, but Hilton Cartwright remained calm under pressure, taking charge of the situation.
Cartwright’s composure proved to be the difference, as he launched a massive six into the second tier over long-on, followed by a boundary on the very next ball to secure the victory. The Stars clinched a hard-fought win, bringing their record to 17-10 against the Renegades. With back-to-back victories, they kept their finals hopes alive and gained valuable momentum heading into the rest of the season.
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Ben Duckett’s BBL season has been a rollercoaster, marked by two half-centuries but also two ducks. After an early run-out mix-up involving Sam Harper and a slow start, the pressure was on Duckett. However, he began to find his rhythm towards the end of the powerplay, capitalizing on short-pitched deliveries and executing the ramp shot with precision, gradually getting back on track.
Duckett formed a solid partnership with Marcus Stoinis, who took charge in the middle overs, attacking legspinner Adam Zampa with powerful strokes that found the boundary consistently. The duo seemed to be cruising until the late twist, but Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell sealed the win, combining for four sixes to finish off the chase. Their explosive end to the innings secured a well-earned victory, keeping the Stars’ momentum intact.
Snicko was once again at the center of controversy this summer when Dan Lawrence was given out caught behind down the legside. The Renegades reviewed the not-out decision, but Snicko failed to provide conclusive evidence as to whether the ball had brushed the bat or the thigh pad. Despite the ambiguity, the third umpire, Simon Lightbody, overturned the on-field decision.
Lawrence was left fuming as the review process unfolded, with Snicko once again facing scrutiny. The decision sparked debate, highlighting the ongoing challenges of using technology to make crucial calls in the game, especially when the evidence is not entirely clear.
Joel Paris was the standout bowler for the Stars in just his second Big Bash League appearance of the season, proving to be an inspired selection. Although he has been devastating with the red-ball, boasting an impressive first-class bowling average of 19.47, Paris has been less effective on the flatter surfaces typical of T20 cricket. However, the pitch in this match offered support for the quicks, and Paris made the most of it. His towering height allowed him to extract extra bounce, with several deliveries rising sharply off the length, causing trouble for the batsmen.
Paris’ performance was not without its frustrations early on. Opener Josh Brown was dropped at mid-off by Peter Siddle, who took a painful blow to his right hand and had to be replaced by Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell quickly redeemed the situation by taking Brown’s catch on the very next ball, but it was a moment that could have easily gone the other way. Paris continued to bowl with intensity, unlucky to see Jacob Bethell dropped by Mark Steketee at short midwicket when Bethell was on just 2.
Despite the early setbacks, Paris returned in the 16th over and claimed the important wicket of Jacob Bethell, dismissing him with a back-of-a-length delivery. Paris finished with impressive figures of 2 for 23 from 4 overs, solidifying his role as a key bowler for the Stars. His performance demonstrated his ability to adapt to conditions and make a significant impact on the game.
Jake Fraser-McGurk has been struggling for form in recent matches, and his lean run of low scores continued with a sluggish 12 off 14 balls. Coming into the game with three single-digit scores in his last four matches, Fraser-McGurk was under pressure, but he refused to change his fearless approach. He took on Steketee during the powerplay, determined to turn his fortune around. However, his shot-making was unconvincing, as he either failed to connect properly or found the fielders when he did manage to make contact with the ball.
Fraser-McGurk’s innings stagnated further as he could only manage 6 off 12 balls, and the pressure mounted. Just as it seemed he might break the shackles, he finally found his timing and launched a huge six over the sightscreen off Steketee. Unfortunately for Fraser-McGurk, the relief was short-lived, as he was dismissed on the very next delivery, caught behind as Renegades struggled in the first half of their innings. At this point, it looked like they might fall well short of a competitive total.
However, Renegades recovered through a 71-run stand between Jacob Bethell and Jonathan Wells, the highest partnership of the season for the team. Bethell played with power, while Wells, the BBL veteran, kept the innings moving with calm nudges to the boundary. Despite both falling just short of well-deserved half-centuries, the foundation they laid helped Renegades reach a competitive total. Laurie Evans then stepped up at the death, scoring an unbeaten 24 off 11 balls, lifting Renegades to a total that had seemed beyond them earlier in the innings.
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