Melbourne Stars thumped Adelaide Strikers by 111 runs in Melbourne. Chasing a stiff target of 180, Adelaide were bundled out for 68 in the 15th over. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was on a roll as he scalped a five-wicket haul in 3.2 overs at the cost of 17 runs.
The Strikers had a disappointing start to the chase as they lost a couple of early wickets but Matt Renshaw and Jonathan Wells tried to steady the ship for them but Renshw’s departure saw a flurry of wickets. They were soon reduced to 59/7 to eventually get out for 68.
Earlier, Melbourne rode on Andre Fletcher’s brisk 49-ball 89* that included four maximums and 8 boundaries. Captain Glenn Maxwell scored 37 off 28 while Cartwright chipped in with an aggressive 30* off 17.
The Stars now have three wins and 16 points from 9 games while Strikers have five wins and five defeats under their belt along with 20 points.
Fletcher who was adjudged man of the match for his exceptional batting dedicated his half-century to his uncle who passed away few days back.
“It means a lot. I got a call from Brian Lara a few days ago and he gave me advice. I decided to go into the game and apply myself. Thankful to everyone, thankful to god and I would like to dedicate my fifty to my uncle who passed away few days ago. Everyday our batting coach, Luke Wright, reminds me how good I am and it was just a matter of striking it right. It is my first time at the MCG and it is good to have a good score here. Looking forward to some more. When I get going I try and not do things that distract me (On his shoe superstition). My laces came off when I reached 40,” he said after the match.
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