Melbourne Stars achieved an exciting victory over arch-rivals Melbourne Renegades in an exciting match Big bash league Derby at the MCG on Saturday. A half-century from Ben Duckett laid the foundation for the Stars' successful run, sealing their second successive win after a difficult start to the season.
Chasing the stars of Duckett Anchors
Chasing 170, the Stars faced immediate setbacks, losing two wickets over their first two innings. Thomas Rogers missed a straight delivery, and Sam Harper was run out after a mix-up with Duckett, leaving the Stars in trouble at 3/2.
As the game wound down, Duckett took over. The England batsman attacked with a flurry of boundaries, including a six from Tom Rogers, to stabilize the innings. He found a strong partner in Marcus Stoinis, who attacked from the start, rushing to 24 off just 13 balls.
Duckett made his third half-century of the season, but just when the match looked under control, the Rebels fought back. Two tight doubles pushed the asking rate higher, and the Stars' decision to take a Power Surge backfired as they lost both Duckett and Stoinis in successive overs.
Maxwell and Cartwright seal the deal
With the game on a knife's edge, Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell stepped up. Cartwright's six off the final ball of Power Surge calmed the nerves, and Maxwell followed it up with a trademark reverse six from Will Sutherland.
In the penultimate over, Maxwell cleared the ropes again, and with eight needed from the last four balls, Cartwright delivered the killing blow. He unleashed a massive 121-metre toss, the biggest of the season, before wrapping up the match with a boundary.
The Stars reached 170/6 with three balls remaining, completing a stunning comeback after starting the season with five straight defeats.
The rebels struggle with bats
Earlier, the Rebels struggled to find momentum after being sent to bat. Josh Brown fell to the opener, and Jake Fraser-McGurk found it difficult to get going, managing just 6 from 11 balls before hitting a six and dismissing the next ball.
Tim Seifert's reverse sweep attempt against Osama Mir resulted in the loss of his stumps, leaving the Rebels reeling. At the halfway mark, their run rate was hovering around six.
Jacob Bethell and Jonathan Wells provided some stability, adding 71 runs for the fourth wicket. However, just as the Renegades looked set for a strong finish, Bethell came out on top, and Wells went down soon after.
Laurie Evans came in crucial to help the Renegades to 169/7, but it wasn't enough to stop the Stars stealing the show.
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