Australian hard-hitter Glenn Maxwell on Friday smashed a scintillating 83 off 39 balls for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL) clash against Brisbane Heat.
Returning to cricket following a mental-health break, Maxwell once again showed just why he is considered one of the most devastating batsmen in T20 cricket as he smashed seven boundaries and five sixes during his stay at the crease.
The 31-year-old also equaled his fastest ever fifty (23 balls) on the way to the blistering knock at the Metricon Stadium.
After reaching the landmark, Maxwell reverse scooped Ben Cutting for a boundary, and he punished Josh Lalor with two sixes over long-on and long-leg. After smashing two fours off Ben Laughlin, he was clean bowled as Melbourne Stars ended on 167/7.
Stop it, @Gmaxi_32!
(but please don't) #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/LskX9GC86S
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2019
Glenn Maxwell is smoking 'em, and the fourth umpire is catching 'em! #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/Hrn8qS4FKE
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2019
Chasing 168 to win, Brisbane Heat could not cope with Adam Zampa and Haris Rauf as they stumbled. Rauf picked up a wicket in his first ball in the BBL, but Tom Banton showed his class with a six off Rauf and two boundaries off Zampa. Banton reached his fifty off just 29 balls with a six off Zampa, and he slog-swept Clint Hinchliffe for a mighty six.
102m, if you don't mind! Unfortunately, we've seen the last of Tom Banton for the night, but that was great! #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/XBZ7HfdPha
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2019
But, Zampa managed to get his revenge as Banton mistimed the lofted shot to long-on. Sandeep Lamichhane and Rauf put a tight lid on the scoring, and Heat stumbled to a 22-run loss.
