Australia's World Cup 2023 winning side members Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis failed in the Men's Big Bash League (BBL) 2023 opening match against Brisbane Heat as Melbourne Stars suffered a massive 103-run defeat at The Gabba, Brisbane.
After winning the toss at The Gabba, Brisbane, Maxwell decided to bowl first. Brisbane Heat got off to a flying start with skipper Usman Khawaja and Colin Munro firing from both ends. Maxwell broke the partnership in the seventh over with the wicket of Khawaja who contributed with a 19-ball 24. Marnus Labuschagne and Munro shared an 82-run partnership with the latter doing the bulk of scoring. Joel Paris dismissed Labuschagne in the 15th over. He scored 30 runs from 23 balls.
Meanwhile, Munro kept taking risks from one end. Sam Billings and Max Bryant's cameos helped the Heat post 214/3. Munro missed his century as he remained stranded on 99 off 61 balls featuring nine fours and five sixes.
In the run chase, the Stars lost their openers Thomas Rogers and Sam Harper early to Michael Neser. Joe Burns and Maxwell tried to get the innings back on track. But in the sixth over, Maxwell became victim to leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. He contributed with a 14-ball 23. In the next over, Matthew Kuhnemann got the wicket of Stoinis for a single-digit score. In his next over, Swepson got rid of Burns who could score 22 runs from 23 balls.
Hilton Cartwright tried to push the scoring rate. Liam Dawson could not make a mark and the tailenders failed as well. Cartwright scored 33 runs from just 16 balls before getting out. Stars were bowled out for 111 from 15.1 overs as they lost the match by 103 runs. Swepson picked up three wickets whereas Xavier Bartlett and Neser took two wickets each.
“Me and Maxi have a bet going - if one of us get a 50, we go to KFC. So it is his treat today. Nice to have the two Aussie boys back (Marnus and Khawaja), they can hopefully go on and enjoy their Test cricket when the season starts. One of those days where everything I tried came off, I tried targeting the short boundary today,” ‘Player of the match’ Munro said in the post-match presentation.
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