All-round Maxwell takes Melbourne Stars over the victory line.
Melbourne Stars continued their Big Bash League (BBL) resurgence with a thrilling seven-wicket victory over the Hobart Hurricanes in a rain-affected match at Blundstone Arena on Thursday night.
Glenn Maxwell was the star of the show for the Stars, taking 3-29 with his off-spin bowling to help restrict the Hurricanes to 155 all out. He then smashed an unbeaten 35 off 18 balls in the Stars’ chase of 67 from seven overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method, guiding his team to victory with four balls to spare.
“It was a great team effort tonight,” Maxwell said after the match. “The bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict the Hurricanes to a low score, and then the batsmen came out and did the job.”
The win lifts the Stars to fourth place on the BBL table, just two points behind the league leaders, the Perth Scorchers.
Maxwell’s heroics
Maxwell’s performance was arguably one of the best of his BBL career. He took three key wickets in the middle overs of the Hurricanes’ innings, including the prized scalps of Caleb Jewell (45) and Ben McDermott (30).
With the bat, Maxwell was typically aggressive, smashing two sixes and three fours in his quick-fire knock. He was particularly brutal against Riley Meredith in the final over, taking 16 runs off the fast bowler to seal the victory for the Stars.
“I’m just happy to contribute to the team,” Maxwell said. “I’ve been in good form lately, so I just wanted to go out there and express myself.”
The win over the Hurricanes was the Stars’ second in a row, and they will be looking to continue their winning momentum when they take on the Sydney Sixers on Sunday.
“We’re starting to play some good cricket now,” Maxwell said. “We’ve got a lot of belief in ourselves, and we’re confident that we can make a real push for the finals.”
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The impact of the win
The win over the Hurricanes was a significant one for the Stars, as it keeps them in the hunt for a place in the BBL finals. With just four games remaining in the regular season, every match is crucial, and the Stars will be looking to pick up as many wins as possible in the coming weeks.
Maxwell’s performance was also a major boost for the Stars, as it showed that he is capable of single-handedly winning games for his team. If he can continue to perform at this level, then the Stars will be a force to be reckoned with in the BBL finals.
Conclusion
The Melbourne Stars are on the rise, and Glenn Maxwell is at the heart of their success. With the BBL finals just around the corner, the Stars are a team to watch, and Maxwell could well be the player who leads them to glory.
DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
