Glenn Maxwell hasn’t shown his full potential even after 13 games in this year’s Big Bash League, but the way he performed in this game against Brisbane Heat, the do or die game for his team, was enough to take them to a win and resultingly closer to chance to qualify for the Playoffs of BBL 2021-22.
Maxwell not only hit an exciting 37 off 30 balls with the bat to help his team in the chase but also picked up two crucial wickets in his four overs spell to contribute with the ball in restricting the Heat to an average score in their first innings.
Chasing 150, the Stars got off to a more than decent start with the opening pairing of Maxwell and Joe Clarke putting up a great stand of 104 runs in just the first 11 overs.
Though both the openers got put in quick succession with the scores changing from 104-0 to 110-2, Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis, who came in at number three and four respectively, utilised their experience and added an unbeaten 40 off just 15 balls to finish off the game.
Clarke, the British import for Stars was the top run-scorer as he made a swift 62 off just 36 balls, which included nine fours and a six. James Bazeley and Mark Steketee got one wicket each for the Heat.
Earlier in the evening, after winning the toss and deciding to bat first at the MCG in Melbourne, Heat were able to get off to a great start as the opening pairing of Nathan McSweeney and Chris Lynn put together 50 for the first wicket. However, that momentum couldn’t be carried on as Heat lost wickets and couldn’t score freely.
Ben Duckett’s persistence 51 off 42 balls and quickfire 15* from skipper Jimmy Peirson to the blue brigade eventually 149-6 in their 20 overs. For Stars, along with Maxwell, Adam Zampa picked up two wickets while Pakistani import Ahmed Daniyal and Nathan Coulter-Nile got one wicket each.
With this win, the Stars now have 22 points from 13 games same as Hobart Hurricanes but have played one game more than that. However, Adelaide Strikers, who are at the fourth position in the table, also have only 24 points from 13 games. Thus with one game left, Stars are still in the mix to finish top-five and qualify for Playoffs.