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Stars run comes to an end

By Kane Imeson



The Melbourne Stars BBL|14 campaign has come to an end.


After a dream run, which saw the Stars win five games in a row after starting the season 0-5 to make the finals, their season has ended at the hands of the Sydney Thunder in last night's knockout final.


The Stars fairytale run came to an end last night. Photo Courtesy: Melbourne Stars
The Stars fairytale run came to an end last night. Photo Courtesy: Melbourne Stars

The Stars started off well, taking the big wicket of Thunder captain David Warner in the second ball of the game.


It wasn’t long after the wicket that the game was briefly paused due to lightning in the area.


Play resumed shortly after with the overs cut down to 19 per innings.


Batsman Matthew Gilkes, Ollie Davies and wicketkeeper Sam Billings all made solid contributions to the Thunder’s total, with knocks of 28, 36 and 24, respectively.


After a good bowling display on what was a bowler’s pitch, the Stars managed to keep the Thunder to a total of 7/135.


David Warner goes out for a duck. Photo Courtesy: Darren England/AAP Photos
David Warner goes out for a duck. Photo Courtesy: Darren England/AAP Photos

Stars openers Sam Harper and Tom Rogers once again failed to contribute with the bat.


Beau Webster’s replacement signing Pete Handscomb made his return to the Stars lineup batting at number three.


In what was a bizarre moment in the game, Handscomb appeared to have edged one through to the keeper early in his innings, however, no Thunder players appealed and Handscomb was able to continue.


Soon after though, Handscomb lost his wicket after being caught lbw by Thunder spinner Tom Andrews.


Stars captain Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell were able to build a solid partnership to give the Stars a chance.


After Stoinis fell, courtesy of an impressive catch by George Garton, it looked like Maxwell was going to have to do it himself once again.


Maxwell was no stranger to taking it upon himself to win the game, having scored 58, 90 and 76 in the Stars’ last three games to lead them to victory.


Unfortunately for Maxwell, this time it wasn’t to be.


After mistiming a shot off a Tanveer Sangha delivery, Maxwell hit the ball straight in the air and was out caught and bowled for only 28 runs.


Glenn Maxwell plays his famous reverse sweep. Photo Courtesy: Melbourne Stars
Glenn Maxwell plays his famous reverse sweep. Photo Courtesy: Melbourne Stars

The rest of the Star’s batting lineup failed to deliver and after some brilliant fielding and a strong bowling performance from Nathan McAndrew (5/16), the Thunder bowled the Stars out for 114 to claim a 21 run victory.


Nathan McAndrew took 5/16 to help the Thunder claim victory. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images
Nathan McAndrew took 5/16 to help the Thunder claim victory. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

For the Stars, it’s another season in which they were unable to claim that maiden BBL title.


For the Thunder, they will take on the Sydney Sixers on Friday for a spot in the final against the Hobart Hurricanes.

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