159/2 (16.0)
CR : 9.94
158/9 (20.0)
CR : 7.90
Melbourne Stars won by 8 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Marcus Stoinis
2/1862(31)
The skipper continues to lead from the front. 2 wickets with the ball and now a half-century to go with it. The celebration is as jubilant as you'll see from him.
15.5
4
C Jordan to M Stoinis
FOUR MORE RUNS!!! This is all class from Marcus Stoinis!!! Lovely shot from the Stars' skipper and the hosts are just one hit away from the win!!! On a full length outside the off stump. Stoinis gets onto the front foot and drives it from the middle of the bat, hitting it between extra cover and mid off. No stopping this tracer bullet in the outfield.
Only 6 more to win now.
15.6
6
C Jordan to M Stoinis
SIX RUNS!!! BANG FROM THE HULK!!! What a batting performance from Marcus Stoinis!!! The captain leads from the front with an unbeaten 62 off 31 balls to seal the game with 4 overs to spare!!! Jordan goes for a slower ball, but dishes it full in the slot outside the off stump. Stoinis reads it, gets low on the front foot and underneath it. Hits through the line. Easy power of the big man as the all-rounder smacks it high and handsome over long on for a maximum to end the contest, making full use of the Power Surge! What a thumping eight-wicket win for the Stars as they kick off Season 15 with a dominating display against the defending champions!
Over 16
Melbourne Stars 159/2
Marcus Stoinis62(31)
Campbell Kellaway41(27)
Chris Jordan0-41(3.0)
MLS won by 8 wickets
5:08 PM IST, 10:38 PM local time: That imperious strike into the stands beyond the long-on boundary to finish the game might be the perfect summation of how the night panned out. It was indeed the Marcus Stoinis show for the large part and there was barely any obstruction that the Hurricanes could create in the path.
Eventually, the Stars have finished the game off with two dozen balls to spare and registered an emphatic victory to kick off their campaign. Yes, Stoinis' all-round performance will hog the headlines. Yes, young Campbell Kellaway's 27-ball-41* will be appreciated and rightly so. However, the Stars won this game in the non-flashy moments.
They tightened the noose on the Hurricanes in the middle overs of the first innings, where they dried up the boundaries with some tidy bowling and decent ground fielding to back it up. Ben McDermott, who came out to bat after his team lost a couple of early wickets, scored a 52-ball-69, while Tim David stuttered his way to a-run-a-ball 31.
Haris Rauf (2/33), Peter Siddle (3/30), Mitchell Swepson (0/29) and the skipper himself with his 2/18 were instrumental in keeping things tight. Hence, Hobart finished with an underwhelming 158/9.
Melbourne Stars did not look out of the run chase anytime — even when Joe Clarke struggled to find gaps. While leg spinner Rishad Hossain did bring the visitors back in the game momentarily by picking two wickets, it did not derail Stoinis and co.
Eventually, the Stars have finished the game off with two dozen balls to spare and registered an emphatic victory to kick off their campaign. Yes, Stoinis' all-round performance will hog the headlines. Yes, young Campbell Kellaway's 27-ball-41* will be appreciated and rightly so. However, the Stars won this game in the non-flashy moments.
They tightened the noose on the Hurricanes in the middle overs of the first innings, where they dried up the boundaries with some tidy bowling and decent ground fielding to back it up. Ben McDermott, who came out to bat after his team lost a couple of early wickets, scored a 52-ball-69, while Tim David stuttered his way to a-run-a-ball 31.
Haris Rauf (2/33), Peter Siddle (3/30), Mitchell Swepson (0/29) and the skipper himself with his 2/18 were instrumental in keeping things tight. Hence, Hobart finished with an underwhelming 158/9.
Melbourne Stars did not look out of the run chase anytime — even when Joe Clarke struggled to find gaps. While leg spinner Rishad Hossain did bring the visitors back in the game momentarily by picking two wickets, it did not derail Stoinis and co.
Player of the Match: Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis (POTM and Melbourne Stars Captain): "It is a big relief to begin the season with a win. The schedule has been nice to us. We have had five days leading into it, and a nice system is in place. Thanks to whoever does it in Cricket Australia.
(Chuckles on being asked about Matthew Wade's sledging) It was just banter. We are so close. It is not even a sledge. Love him.
It was a really good T20 wicket.
Campbell Kellaway is a good cricketer. He is coming off a very good domestic season. He has started well in the domestic circuit. We were always getting him in the middle. The way he has been striking in the nets, I do not want to say anything and jinx him. He was really good, really composed. He is going to be a star in the future."
(Chuckles on being asked about Matthew Wade's sledging) It was just banter. We are so close. It is not even a sledge. Love him.
It was a really good T20 wicket.
Campbell Kellaway is a good cricketer. He is coming off a very good domestic season. He has started well in the domestic circuit. We were always getting him in the middle. The way he has been striking in the nets, I do not want to say anything and jinx him. He was really good, really composed. He is going to be a star in the future."
Melbourne Stars have hit the ground running. With this emphatic win, they not only garner two points but also a healthy enough net run rate to take them to the top of the table. Though, we all know, this is just the beginning. They will next face the Strikers at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, December 23.
Meanwhile, Hobart Hurricanes will lock horns with the other Melbourne franchise at the Geelong on Sunday, December 21. And we will be there to call the action. Do join us for those games.
For now, this is the troika of Darpan Tikiya, AkshayaKrishna Polya and Ashok Dayma signing off. See you soon!
Meanwhile, Hobart Hurricanes will lock horns with the other Melbourne franchise at the Geelong on Sunday, December 21. And we will be there to call the action. Do join us for those games.
For now, this is the troika of Darpan Tikiya, AkshayaKrishna Polya and Ashok Dayma signing off. See you soon!