After defeating Sydney Thunder in the BBL 09 Challenger, Melbourne Stars will now take on the Sydney Sixers in the final of the tournament on February 8.
Stars won the bat flip and decided to bat first against the Sydney Thunder on Thursday. Opener Marcus Stoinis continued his rich vein of form and smashed a 54-ball 83 with 3 sixes and 7 fours.
Stoinis was well supported by Nick Larkin, who also slammed 83 off 49 balls with the help of 3 sixes and 9 fours. The duo added 117 runs for the second wicket and took the Stars to a formidable total of 194-2 in 20 overs.
Collision between Larkin and Stoinis
Larkin and Stoinis were brutal in their onslaught as they added a century-plus stand for the second wicket in just about 13 overs and spared no bowlers in the sight. However, it was not a bowler who was their nemesis, the duo was their own enemies as they collided in the middle of the wicket, while taking a double.
Did you know there once was a man who collided with Marcus Stoinis and lived to tell the tale? 😏
A @KFCAustralia Bucket Moment | #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/ymgZERilEg
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 6, 2020
Chasing 195 to win, the Thunder lost Alex Hales (8), Callum Ferguson (7) and Usman Khawaja (23) inside the power play overs. Alex Ross scored 58, Morris made 21 and Arjun Nair made 30, as the Stars’ tightened their grip on the match and clinched the game by 28 runs.
