Courtesy: BBL/X
In the match 28th of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell scored a power-packed fifty, to help the Melbourne Stars get up to a competitive total of 156/5 on an Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch assisting the bowlers somewhat. After the Stars were reduced to 60/4 in the 10th over, Maxwell took matters into his own hands, and powered them past 150 runs after an exceptional fifth wicket stand with Beau Webster.
After the Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques chose to field first after winning the toss, they dismissed opener Sam Harper along with the English duo of Ben Duckett (20 off 14) and Dan Lawrence (14 off 13) after they got decent starts within the first seven overs. Captain Marcus Stoinis lost his wicket for just four runs in nine balls as Sean Abbott had him caught behind the wicket, courtesy of Josh Philippe, which signalled the arrival of Glenn Maxwell to the crease.
Glenn Maxwell was given the player of the match award for his fifty
The all-rounder shared a vital stand of 88 runs for the fifth wicket with Beau Webster, the newest Australian debutant in international cricket, to give the Melbourne Stars something to bowl at. While Webster got a steady 48 off 41, Maxwell struck the ball cleanly for his five fours and three maximums, to score 58 runs in just 32 balls at the MCG, to give the home fans some home.
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In the run chase, the Sydney Sixers lost the early wicket of Josh Philippe as he was cleaned up by Mark Stekeetee, who ended up taking three scalps in total for the Melbourne Stars. England international James Vince kept the Sixers innings together despite wickets falling in and around him, but after the Australian all-round duo of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell combined to take his wicket for 53 off 44, the Stars took control of the game.
Peter Siddle cleaned-up Jordan Silk with an absolute jaffa, which came in and decked away late at high pace from the 40-year-old, while Usama Mir bowled a very good spell of 2/19. Ultimately, the Sydney Sixers were reduced to 140/9 in their allotted overs, losing the contest by 16 runs, but despite that, they are in second place on the BBL points table, while the Melbourne Stars have jumped a place from bottom in the eight-team tournament.
