Melbourne Stars have broken an eight-game BBL losing streak thanks to a Marcus Stoinis batting masterclass and a stunning Glenn Maxwell catch in the outfield.
The Stars defeated Brisbane Heat by five wickets at the Gabba in a breakthrough win after losing their opening five games this season and the final three of last year’s campaign.
Dan Lawrence of the Stars scores the match winning runs.Credit: Getty Images
The Heat made 7-149 batting first thanks to a blistering and unbeaten 77 off 48 deliveries by Max Bryant, during which Maxwell took one of the greatest catches seen in the BBL in an all-round brilliant individual fielding exhibition.
The hosts had the perfect start to the Stars’ run chase with pacemen Xavier Bartlett (4-10) and Spencer Johnson rocking the top order to have the visitors teetering at 3-14.
The Stars needed someone to stand up and Stoinis (62 off 48) and England import Dan Lawrence (64no off 38) delivered in a 134-run partnership for the third wicket.
Stoinis walloped Paul Walter for four boundaries in one over and paced the run chase perfectly, bludgeoning anything loose to secure his first win this season as Stars captain. Lawrence upped the ante at the end to take the pressure off Stoinis in an innings of class.
Maxwell has done a plethora of freakish acts of genius in T20 cricket but he took it to the next level with a classic catch for the ages, his fourth for the innings.
The veteran leapt metres over the boundary to catch the ball in one hand before throwing it back into the field of play while in the air. He calmly stepped back over the boundary rope to complete the catch and sent a stunned Will Prestwidge (4) on his way.
