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Melbourne Stars registered their second win in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 after they defeated Sydney Thunder by 22 runs at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday.
Chasing 170, Thunder did not have a good start as they lost opener Usman Khawaja (7) in the third over. Then, Alex Hales (46) and skipper Callum Ferguson (54) formed a vital partnership of 69 runs for the second wicket.
The pair was looking set to cruise through, but Clint Hinchliffe had some other plans after he dismissed Hales in the 13th over.
Ferguson, meanwhile, reached his first fifty of BBL 10. The asking rate was constantly getting high, and that forced Ferguson to score big. In an attempt to smash a boundary, Ferguson ended up giving a catch to Andre Fletcher in the 15th over.
The dismissal of Ferguson opened floodgates as Thunder lost their six wickets for just 30 runs. In the end, Thunder could only manage to reach 147/9, losing the contest by 22 runs.
Stoinis, Maxwell push Stars to 169/8
Earlier, Marcus Stoinis scored his first half-century of BBL 10. The power-striker hit a 29-ball fifty to help Stars set 169/8 against the Thunder. He timed the ball really well, hitting six fours and two sixes and never looked like he was going at the ball too hard.
The 31-year-old took 17 off Chris Green’s first over. Stoinis eventually fell to spinner Jono Cook (1-33), while trying to hit him inside out through the offside. Apart from Stoinis, skipper Glenn Maxwell made a valuable contribution with 39 off 29 balls.
For Thunder, Daniel Sams, Green and debutant Tanveer Sangha picked up two wickets each. At the same time, Nathan McAndrew and Cook claimed one wicket apiece.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
2 wins from 2 games to start #BBL10!
A fantastic performance from the entire team, defeating the Thunder by 22 runs. 💚 #TeamGreen pic.twitter.com/UQcU3UGWk6
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) December 12, 2020
fifty in 29 balls from Marcus Stoinis, and Warnie is not on commentary duty today
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) December 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/gnanajebin_/status/1337637853640052736
Loving Callum Ferguson's old school Powerspot stickers.. 👌#BBL10
— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) December 12, 2020
Even though Maxwell is my #SuperCoach captain, happy for @chrisgreen_93. Takes a brave man to bowl to an in-form Maxwell during the power surge! 💪🏼
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) December 12, 2020
Whoa looks like Dilbar Hussain asked for a third-man. Maxwell bluntly said No No
— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) December 12, 2020
Glenn Maxwell pleading with Stoinis to go to slip? 😂 #bbl10
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) December 12, 2020
"He’s been outstanding for a number of years now. And he’s just getting better and better"
@Gmaxi_32 on KFC Player of the Match Adam Zampa #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/14WXJWbXOg— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 12, 2020
Back to back wins for Melbourne Stars. #BBL10https://t.co/1FVXZ1l7z7 pic.twitter.com/S27dFhypkK
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 12, 2020
Adam Zampa choked Thunder today. Had a terrific spell in the middle overs at an economy rate of 2 🔥 Alex Hales had no clue. His 2 overs between 5-9 changed the game towards Melbourne Stars!
Bowled 63% dots in the whole game too! That's 15 out of 24 balls. Insane! 👌🏻#BBL10
— Alankrith Shankar (@AlanzArena) December 12, 2020
Melbourne Stars have played 2️⃣ matches within 24 hours & won both #BBL2020
— 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙮𝙪𝙨𝙝 𝙎 (@ps26_11) December 12, 2020
Glenn Maxwell smiling and having fun makes me smile and have fun. #BBL10
— Tom Carpenter (@Carpo34) December 12, 2020