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That's all from this game. It turned out to be a one-sided affair as Melbourne Stars chase down the target with relative ease and they remain at the top of the table with 12 points. Sydney Thunder, on the other hand, remain on the fourth position. On Thursday, we have Brisbane Heat hosting the Hobart Hurricanes. That game will begin at 1810 Local (0710 GMT). Until then, cheers.

For his superb hat-trick in the final over, Haris Rauf is named the Man of the Match. Sandeep Lamichhane has also joined him as a translator. Rauf says that he is very happy that he took three wickets and made a match to remember. Haris adds that he has been watching cricket since his childhood and it was a dream to play at the MCG. Adds that he gave his 100 percent. Goes onto say that his family supported him and they are very happy with his performance.

Earlier in the day, after winning the toss and opting to bat. Sydney Thunder managed to put up a under-par score of just 145/5, as they struggled to get the flourish they were looking for. Haris Rauf was the star of the match as his hat-trick in the final over killed the small momentum the Thunder had heading into the final over of the innings.

Can't blame the Thunder bowlers for their effort. They had a tough ask to restrict the star-studded Melbourne Stars to a below-par score on a batting friendly pitch. It was always going to take some mammoth effort and unfortunately for the tourists, today was not the day for miracles. Sams, Cook and Nair picked up the three wickets amongst them equally but the first two formers were expensive. Morris, Tremain and McAndrew made an effort but were unable to trouble the Stars batters.

Another day, another win for the Stars. A comprehensive win for the Melbourne Stars and with this they go top of the pile. After a superb showing with the ball, Marcus Stoinis set up the chase with skipper, Glenn Maxwell finishing off. The Stars did not get off to a good start losing Nic Maddinson early, courtesy a run out. The ploy to send Nathan Coulter-Nile at number 3 did not fare well. Larkin too departed early but fifties from Stoinis and Maxwell ensured there were no more hiccups and the hosts made a mockery of this chase.

17.5

4

FOUR! That is it! Stars have chased down the score with 13 balls to spare. Morris bowls a full delivery outside off, Maxwell stands tall and hammers it over extra cover for a boundary. MELBOURNE STARS WIN BY SIX WICKETS!

17.4

.

Low full toss again on middle, Maxwell misses out and plays this down to mid on.

17.3

.

Short on middle, pulled to mid-wicket. Three dot balls in a row.

17.2

.

Morris dishes out a yorker on middle, Maxwell digs it out to the bowler. Morris pretends to throw it back at Maxwell.

17.1

.

BEATEN! Low full toss outside off, Maxwell throws his bat at it but gets a bottom edge back to the keeper. Tumbles after that shot.

16.6

1

Full toss on middle, Maxwell works it to the leg side for a single.

16.5

4

FOUR! That is outrageous from Maxwell! Sams bowls a short of a length delivery outside off, Maxwell smashes it by opening the face of his bat and it screams away through point for a boundary.

16.4

.

Length ball outside off, pushed to cover off the back foot.

16.3

2

FIFTY! A match-winning knock this has been from the Big Show. It has been filled with great strokes. Full delivery on middle, Maxwell works it to the leg side and takes a couple before the bowler runs across and cleans it up. Just seven needed off 21 balls now.

16.2

.

Good length ball around off, Maxwell taps it to point and shouts a loud 'no' to his partner.

16.1

2

Excellent running. These two are quick between the wickets. Good length ball on the pads, Maxwell turns it towards deep square leg and calls for two straightaway. This pair is quick and they get it with ease.

Daniel Sams will finish off. 27 runs in his three overs.

15.6

1

Good comeback. Yorker on middle and leg. Maxwell manages to milk it to long on and keeps the strike. Good over for the Stars. 16 off it. 30 off the last two. Stars just 11 short from overpowering the Thunder.

15.5

4

FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of boundaries. Morris goes full on off, Maxwell smashes it through mid on for a boundary. Glenn is in a hurry to kill this chase off. Moves to 45 in no time.

15.4

4

FOUR! This is brilliant batting from the Big Show. Short ball on off, Maxwell gets on his back foot and guides it over the keeper for a boundary.

15.3

4

FOUR! Nicely hit! Back of a length delivery on the body, Maxwell hooks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

15.2

2

Length ball around off, Glenn slices it to sweeper cover for a couple.

15.1

1

On the pads, Handscomb flicks it to fine leg for one.

Morris is back. 9 off his first 2.

14.6

6

SIX! BRILLIANT! Maxwell, you beauty. What a shot this is though, Makes perfect use of the Free Hit. Short delivery outside off, Glenn camps back and hammers it over the long off region for a maximum. 27 runs needed from 30 balls. It should be easy-peasy for the Stars now.

14.6

5nb

FOUR! How has Maxwell hit that there? But that's how Maxwell can play! Short delivery on middle, Maxwell stands tall and pulls it towards long on for a boundary. Tennis shot, that! The umpire signals a no ball for two bouncers in the over. Free Hit loading...

14.5

.

Just short! Short delivery on middle, Maxwell looks to pull but does not time it well. Luckily for him, it goes on one bounce to the mid on fielder.

14.4

2lb

Tries for some innovation does Maxwell there. Tremain comes around the wicket and bowls a full toss down the leg side. Maxwell looks to scoop but it goes off the pads towards fine leg. By the time, the fielder comes across, the batters take two leg byes.

14.3

1

Fullish delivery on on off, defended to cover for a single.

14.2

.

BEATEN! Excellent delivery! Length ball outside off, nipping away, Peter looks to defend off the back foot but misses it altogether.

14.1

.

BEATEN! Length ball outside off, Handscomb looks to guide it to third man but fails to get any bat on it.

Chris Tremain is brought back to the attack. 2-0-13-0, his figures.

13.6

1

Floated on off, Handscomb looks to defend but gets an inside edge which goes towards fine leg. They take a single. Peter will keep the strike.

13.5

1

Flighted on middle, Maxwell pushes it through mid on for a run.

Peter Handscomb is the next man in.

13.4

W

OUT! Caught! Fifty and out for Stoinis. He will be furious with himself for not seeing off the chase for his side. Flighted delivery on off, Marcus looks to go downtown over long off. He gets the height but not the distance and ends it hitting it straight to Chris Morris at long off who takes an easy catch. 43 still needed from 38!

13.3

1

Around the pads, Maxwell glances it to mid-wicket for one.

13.2

.

Short on off, Maxi punches it to mid on.

13.1

1

FIFTY FOR MARCUS STOINIS! Another superb knock from the Hulk. He really does turn into the Hulk wearing the green of Melbourne Stars. Floated on the pads, Marcus glances it towards mid-wicket for a single. Hat-trick of fifties for Stoinis. His aim now will be to see his side over the line.

Jonathan Cook is back on. He was expensive in his first over, giving away 14 runs.

12.6

1

Follows it up with a single towards point. 9 off the over. Just 45 needed off 42 balls now.

12.5

4

FOUR! Smartly played. The third man is up inside the circle so he just had to clear that. Back of a length outside off, Stoinis hops and plays it over the short third man fielder for a boundary. 100 up for the Stars!

12.4

1

Full and slow from Sams. Bowled at 113.1 kph. Glenn pushes it towards mid on and rotates the strike.

12.3

1

On the pads, Stoinis turns it to the left of fine leg for a single.

12.2

1

Low full toss on off and middle, Maxwell guides it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

12.1

1

Slower ball on a length. Marcus turns it towards square leg for a single.

Daniel Sams returns for his third over. Gave away 18 in his first two overs and picked up a wicket.

11.6

1

Flights one on off, Marcus milks it to long off and keeps the strike. 54 needed off the last 8.

11.5

.

Floated on middle, MS pushes it back to the bowler.

11.4

4

FOUR! Drag down from Nair on middle and off. Stoinis stays on his back foot and smashes it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

11.3

.

Tossed up on middle, Marcus pushes it back to the bowler.

11.2

1

Another short ball on middle, this time Maxwell nudges it to wide long on for another easy single.

11.1

1

Short on middle, Stoinis punches it to wide long on for a single.

Arjun Nair is back on. 1-0-8-1 are his figures.

10.6

.

Has not been given as a wide. Good length ball just down the leg side, Maxwell looks to pull but misses as it goes away from his body. The umpire though keeps his hands in his pockets.

10.5

1

Back of a length on off, Stoinis pulls it to deep mid-wicket and eases himself to the other end.

10.4

1

On off this time, Maxwell plays it to point to follow the boundary with a calm single.

10.3

4

FOUR! Length delivery on the body, it is a slower one. Maxwell looks to pull but hits it late. It goes fine down the leg side for a boundary.

10.2

1

On the pads, Stoinis flicks it towards mid-wicket and eases to the other end. Stars motoring along with ease here. 67 needed off 58.

10.1

1

Length ball on off, Maxwell strokes it to point for a run.

Nathan McAndrew is back on. 15 off his 2 so far.

9.6

1

Full around off, Maxwell squeezes it to deep point for one. At the halfway stage of this run chase, the Stars need another 69 runs for a win. On top!

9.5

1

Direct hit and it could have been close. Good length ball on off, Marcus nudges it towards covers and calls for a quick single. The fielder rushes to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Would have been a close call had he hit.

9.4

.

Short ball outside off, Stoinis looks to hit but misses.

9.3

1

Good change of pace from Morris! It dips onto the batter. Maxwell nudges it to the left of mid on and calls for a quick single. The fielder there dives and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

9.2

2

Back of a length on off, Maxwell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

9.1

1

Back of a length on off, Stoinis pulls it to long on and rotates the strike.

Chris Morris returns. His first over cost just three runs.

8.6

1

Around off, Marcus runs it down to third man and keeps the strike.

8.5

.

Slower ball outside off, Stoinis looks to hit it on the off side but gets an inside edge which hits him on the back pad. Maxwell looks for a run but Stoinis turns it down.

8.4

1

Bouncer on off. Looks to be a slower bouncer. Maxwell pulls it to mid-wicket for a run.

8.3

.

Full outside off, Maxwell looks to drive it on the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

8.2

1

Length delivery on off, Marcus strokes it to long on for one.

8.1

2

Excellent running this from the Hulk and the Big Show. Good length ball around off, Stoinis tucks it towards mid-wicket. They looks for two straightaway as the fielder comes running from the deep. Stoinis' bat gets stuck on the turf as he comes for the second but he is in safely.

Chris Tremain to bowl after the Time-Out. 1-0-8-0 are his figures.

Tactical Time-Out has been taken. Melbourne Stars are going at a good clip but the problem for them has been the three wickets that they have lost. Stoinis is going strong at one end and he needs support from the others. The required run rate is just under 7 and they can take it calmly. Sydney Thunder, on the other hand, need to keep taking wickets if they want to stand a chance to win this game.

7.6

1

Shorter on leg and middle, Marcus punches it to long on and keeps the strike. 8 runs and a wicket off Arjun's first. Melbourne Stars need 80 off 72!

7.5

1

Smart batting this from Big Show. Follows the boundary over covers with a single towards mid-wicket.

7.4

4

FOUR! Uppish but safe. Floated leg spinner on off, Maxwell lofts his drive over covers. Morris runs in from long off and gives it a chase. He puts in a dive but fails to stop it. Morris is fuming with himself as he knows he should have stopped that.

Glenn Maxwell makes his way out to the middle. It will be interesting to see what will be his approach.

7.3

W

OUT! Chopped on! Nair strikes in his first over! Thunder need to keep picking wickets and Arjun has done just that. Leg spinner outside off, it hardly spins. Larkin looks to drag his sweep but ends up getting a bottom edge onto the stumps. Larkin departs and slowly the Thunder are starting to light up and put pressure on the Stars.

7.2

1

Floated on off, Stoinis glances it to mid-wicket for a single.

7.1

1

Googly to begin with. It is around off, Larkin plays it with the spin towards mid-wicket for one.

Arjun Nair is into the attack.

6.6

.

On middle, Stoinis strokes it to mid on. Tidy over, only 5 from it.

6.5

1

Good length ball on off, Larkin nudges it to covers and rotates the strike.

6.4

1

Short ball, Stoinis pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

6.3

.

The batsman has driven it to mid on. Dot.

6.2

2

Back of a length around off, Stoinis pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket. Alex Ross in the deep dives and saves a certain boundary. Two taken.

6.2

1wd

WIDE! McAndrew misses his line and bowls it down the leg side. Stoinis looks to flick but misses. Wided by the umpire.

6.1

.

Good length ball on middle, Stoinis defends it towards mid on.

Nathan McAndrew is back into the attack. 1-0-10-0 are his figures.

5.6

4

FOUR! Excellent shot from Larkin to begin his innings. Back of a length around off, Larkin plays the upper cut really well and starts off with a boundary. 53/2 in the Powerplay, 93 needed off 14 overs.

5.5

1

Good length ball on off, Stoinis strokes it to covers for one.

Are we in for a surprise at number 4 as well? Nope! It is going to be Nick Larkin.

5.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! After a six, Coulter-Nile falls. The ploy to send Nathan Coulter-Nile does not work. Short of a length delivery on middle, Coulter-Nile looks to play the pull shot but it takes the top edge and goes way up in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Nathan McAndrew comes forward from deep mid-wicket and takes an easy catch this time.

5.3

6

SIX! That is a poor delivery and it has been dispatched! Almost. Excellent attempt from Nathan McAndrew. Sams bowls a full one way down the leg side. Coulter-Nile flicks it uppishly towards deep square leg. Nathan McAndrew stationed there jumps and collects it but goes over the ropes while in the air. He tries to throw it back inside but the ball lands outside the rope.

5.2

1

Short of a length ball on middle, Stoinis works it towards mid-wicket and crosses over for a single.

5.1

1

Full delivery on middle, Nathan glances it to mid-wicket for a single.

4.6

6

SIX! Going, going and gone. Stoinis has been trying to hit it straight over the bowler's head but has been missing it, this time he connects it and smashes it right into the sightscreen behind the bowler's head for a biggie. Spoils the over. 14 from Cook's first.

4.5

.

Floated on leg, Stoinis glances it to short fine leg.

4.4

4

EDGED AND FOUR! Quicker on the leg side, Stoinis makes room and looks to hit it over the long on fence. The ball kisses the inside edge and goes past Gilkes behind the stumps to the fine leg fence.

4.3

2

Short and on the pads, Stoinis glances it with the spin towards fine leg for a brace.

4.2

2

Flighted on leg, Stoinis makes room and hits it wide of long on off the inner half of his bat for a couple.

4.1

.

Cook starts with a floated, slower delivery on leg. Stoinis moves across and taps it back to the bowler.

Spin into the attack for the first time in this innings. Jonathan Cook to bowl now.

3.6

.

Length ball on middle, works it to the leg side. 10 runs and a wicket from the over.

3.5

4

FOUR! Nicely played by Coulter-Nile. Short of a length on middle, Nathan rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg region for a boundary. Off the mark is Nathan.

3.4

.

Length ball on off, Nathan looks to defend but it takes the inside edge. Hitting the pads and it rolls to the off side.

3.4

1wd

WIDE! Short ball down the leg side. Coulter-Nile looks to pull but misses. It is wided.

Surprise, surprise Nathan Coulter-Nile walks out at number 3. Yes, it is Nathan Coulter-Nile and not Maxwell, Handscomb or Larkin who is batting at 3.

3.3

W

OUT! RUN OUT! Excellent piece of fielding from Chris Morris. Poor running as well. Length delivery on middle, Maddinson works it towards mid-wicket. Nic thinks that there is a couple and takes off. Morris though runs forward from mid on, collects it and then throws it to the keeper who does the rest. Maddinson was way out of his crease. Another failure for the left-hander in this season of BBL.

3.2

4

EDGY FOUR! Full delivery outside off, Nic drives but it takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip region for a boundary.

3.1

.

BEATEN! McAndrew starts with a full delivery outside off, Nic goes for a drive but misses it completely.

Nathan McAndrew replaces Chris Morris after just one over.

2.6

.

Fuller on off, Stoinis looks to hit it straight but misses. The ball hits him on the back leg. There is a huge appeal, Tremain is pleading the umpire to raise his finger but the umpire is unmoved. Oh! The replay rolls in and it shows that the ball would have hit the leg pole. Only if there was DRS available.

2.5

4

FOUR! Stoinis gets up and running! First boundary for him. Good length ball on off, Stoinis stays on his back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

2.4

1

Length delivery on the pads, Maddinson turns it to the on side and gets one.

2.4

1wd

WIDE! Slower bouncer, bounces too high. It goes well over the head of Maddinson who ducks under it. Wided by the umpire. Good idea but bad execution.

2.3

1

Length delivery just outside off, Stoinis pushes it towards cover-point and gets a single.

2.2

.

On the hips of Stoinis. He turns it to the leg side. Does not connect well so the ball goes nowhere.

2.1

1

Tremain starts with a full ball on off and middle. Maddinson clears his front leg and looks to smash it straight. He gets an inside edge though which hits him on his pad. The ball rolls towards covers and they take a single.

Chris Tremain is into the attack.

1.6

.

Dot to end the over. Just three off the over. Tidy start from Morris as well. Length delivery outside off, Stoinis pushes it to point to get through a quiet over.

1.5

.

Good start from Morris. Consistently hits the deck hard and around off. Marcus defends it with a straight back.

1.4

.

Once again Morris maintains his length and bowls it around off. Stoinis defends it towards cover. Maddinson asks for a run but Marcus says no.

1.3

.

Good length delivery, coming in with the angle. Stoinis defends it to the on side and tells his partner to wait.

1.2

2

Stoinis is off the mark. Good shot, this. Length delivery on off, Stoinis gets on his back foot and punches it through point for a couple.

1.1

1

Morris starts with a length ball, close to the body. Cramping Nic for room. He turns it to the on side and gives Stoinis the strike for the first time today.

Chris Morris will bowl from the other end.

0.6

1

Single to end the over. Good length delivery on off, Maddinson tucks it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike. Good start for Thunder, just 5 off the first.

0.5

.

Slower delivery on a length on off. Nic defends it to the left of the bowler.

0.4

.

Bouncer! A well bowled one. It is just away from the body of Maddinson. He sways away from it.

0.3

.

On the pads, Maddinson flicks it to mid-wicket.

0.2

4

FOUR! Maddinson is off the mark in style. He did not time this well but the intent was right. Good length ball around off, Nic stays on his back foot and whacks it through mid-wicket. It does not come off the middle. The fielder from deep mid-wicket gives it a chase and looks like he will easily save the boundary but he fails to do so.

0.1

.

Sams starts with a good length delivery on off. It is right on the money. Maddinson defends it towards point to start the run chase.

The run chase is all set to get underway!!! 146 is the target for the Stars. Sydney Thunder are making their way out to the middle. Marcus Stoinis and Nic Maddinson follow them out. Daniel Sams will start the proceedings.

Once again Melbourne Stars were right on the button with the ball. Haris Rauf stood out with the ball and bowled with a lot of venom and fire. Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane showed great control as well in the middle overs, however, the latter went for aplenty in his last over. Nathan Coulter-Nile, too, was brilliant in his spell of 3 overs where he bowled with a lot of pace and control. It's an under-par total and the Stars will be backing themselves to scale down this target with ease. Can Sydney Thunder throw a spanner in Stars' batting plans? Do join us in a short while to find out.

After being put to bat, it was a decent opening stand for the visiting team. Alex Hales and Usman Khawaja put together a fine stand but it wasn't a quickfire one. Once the opening partnership was broken, the Thunder found it tough to score freely. They were struggling at the halfway mark to get going but the stand between Ferguson and Gilkes revived them a bit. Although they started very slowly, towards the end, they upped the scoring ante.

What a cracking finish! A hat-trick in the last over by Haris Rauf took the wind out of the Thunder's sail. The charge was truly on by the touring team in the death overs but a brilliant final over meant that Sydney Thunder failed to cross the 150 hurdle.

19.6

1b

Just a bye to end the over. Tremendous final over from Rauf! Good length delivery outside off, Ross throws his bat at it but misses. The batters scamper through to the other end. Just two runs off the last over. From the bowling perspective, a hat-trick as well. Sydney Thunder finish off with 145/5 from their 20 overs!

19.5

.

Play and a miss! Superb bowling this from Rauf! Another off cutter from Haris. Ross makes room and looks to hit it over on the off side. He misses it. Handscomb hits the stumps at the keeper's end but Ross is in and that does not cost them any extra runs either.

Alex Ross makes his way out to the middle to face the music.

19.4

W

OUT! LBW! Yes, we have another hat-trick!!! Haris Rauf, you beauty! Second hat-trick of the day and Rauf joins Rashid Khan to pick up a hat-trick on this double-header Wednesday. Rauf is over the moon! A pacey delivery on a length to follow two slower ones. Sams is completely beaten for pace. He looks to pull but misses. The ball hits him on the back leg's thigh pad. A huge appeal follows and the umpire slowly raises his finger. A moment for Rauf to chrish for the rest of his life. A perfect hat-trick for him. Wow! What a player!

Daniel Sams comes out to face the hat-trick ball. We have already seen one today from Rashid Khan in the game between the Strikers and the Sixers. Will we have another?

19.3

W

OUT! Bowled! Rauf on a hat-trick now. What a final over this is from Rauf! Single, wicket, wicket and Rauf is making 150 look difficult here. Slower ball does the trick again for Rauf! It is on a length on off, Ferguson shuffles across and looks to play it over fine leg. He misses, the ball hits his pad and goes on to hit the stumps. Big blow.

Chris Morris is the new man in. Can he finish with a bang?

19.2

W

OUT! Caught! Very good catch from Sandeep Lamichhane. Good length ball on the body, it is a slower one from Rauf. Gilkes mistimes his flick in the air towards fine leg. He does not time it well. It falls on its way to fine leg. Lamichhane comes running in and takes a very good catch diving in front. The 83-run stand is broken.

19.1

1

Good shot. It is slightly fuller on the leg side, Ferguson paddles it fine down the leg side. Zampa does well to clean it up from fine leg. Only a single.

18.6

2

Slower ball outside off, Gilkes half-checks his loft over extra cover and gets a couple as the man from long off cleans it up. 10 off this one. Can Thunder reach 155? They need 12 off the last over to get there.

18.5

4

FOUR! Nicely bowled! Low full toss outside off, Matthew Gilkes stands in his crease and lifts it over the mid off fielder for a boundary.

18.4

2

Short ball on middle, Matthew pulls it towards deep square leg and calls Ferguson for a couple. The fielder throws it to the keeper but Gilkes has made his way in.

18.3

1

Good length ball on middle, Ferguson whips it to deep square leg for a single.

18.2

.

Slower short ball down the leg side, Ferguson makes room to pull but gets deceived by the slowness of the ball. Ends up missing it.

18.1

1lb

Full delivery around off, Gilkes looks to heave it away to the leg side but it hits the pads and rolls to the off side. A leg bye taken

17.6

1

Length ball on off, Matthew strokes it to long off and keeps the strike. 29 off the last 2! 17 needed to reach 150, can Thunder get there?

17.5

.

Bouncer! A very well-directed one. Gilkes is taken by surprise and gets away from it.

17.4

.

This is better. Wide and inside the tramline, Gilkes throws his bat at it and misses.

17.4

1wd

WIDE! Once again misses tramline outside off and sends it away from it. Wided by the umpire again.

17.3

6

SIX! Nicely timed. Length delivery around off, Gilkes stays on his back foot and whacks his pull over the mid-wicket fence for a 79m biggie.

17.3

1wd

WIDE! Rauf looks to go wide of off, goes way too wide. It is outside the tramline. Gilkes looks to play but misses. Wided by the umpire.

17.2

1lb

Superb bowling this. Ferguson comes down the track so Rauf sends a yorker at around 148 kph. Ferguson gets hit on the pads and they steal a leg bye. Solid start to the over.

17.1

1

Smart bowling this. Very full outside off, Gilkes looks to play the scoop but ends up getting it off the bottom edge. The ball dies at the crease and Gilkes scampers to the other end for a quick run.

Haris Rauf is brought on. 2-0-12-0, his figures so far.

16.6

1

Short again, Gilkes comes down the track and cuts it wide of point to get a single. Massive over for the visitors. 18 off it. Spoils Lamichhane's figures. He ends with 39/0 from his 4.

16.5

.

Dot ball now. Short and wide outside off, Gilkes cuts it hard but straight to the fielder at point.

16.4

6

SIX! Gilkes now joins the party. Second six of the over and still two balls to play. Floated on off, Gilkes comes down the track and smokes it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

16.3

1

Almost a mix-up there. Floated on the pads, Ferguson flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a single. Gilkes wants the second but Ferguson sends him back.

16.2

6

SIX! 10 off 2 and Ferguson is going after the young leggie here. Tossed up on off, Ferguson stands and smashes it over the bowler's head for a biggie. Excellent start to the over for Thunder.

16.1

4

FOUR! Very well played. Lamichhane bowls a slower leg spinner wide outside off, Ferguson is in great form. He drags it from there towards the cow corner region for a boundary.

Sandeep Lamichhane to bowl out now. 3-0-21-0 are his figures.

15.6

1

Tossed up on middle, Ferguson strokes it to long on to get a single of Zampa's last ball of the evening. Excellent job done by the leggie. Just 22 runs off his 4 and also a wicket.

15.5

1

Tossed up on off, MG lofts it over the bowler's head. There is long off for protection so he will clean it up. Just a single.

15.4

2

Floated on middle and leg, Gilkes whips it towards deep mid-wicket and gets a couple as Stoinis cleans it up.

15.3

1

Floated on off, Ferguson sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for one. It brings up the 100 for Thunder. Need to end up with at least 145 here.

15.2

1

Tossed up on middle, Matthew milks it to long on for one.

15.1

.

Howzaat? The umpire says no! Floated on middle, Gilkes looks to play the reverse sweep but misses. There is a huge appeal but the umpire turns it down. Good decision as the replay later on shows it hit Gilkes' gloves and then the pad.

Zampa to bowl out.

14.6

1

Length delivery outside off, Gilkes cuts it to deep point for a single. Stoinis in the deep covers it. 5 more overs left, can Thunder push their scoring rate?

14.5

1

Oh! Good length ball on off, Ferguson clears his front leg and looks to cut but it comes off the lower half of his bat and goes towards point. They take a single.

14.4

1

Full on off, Gilkes strokes it to long off for a single.

14.3

.

Length delivery outside off, Gilkes throws his bat at it but misses.

14.2

1

Length ball on middle, Callum works it to deep square leg for a single.

14.1

4

FOUR! Stoinis should have done better. Short ball around off, Ferguson pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket. Stoinis there runs and puts in a dive but he fails to mop it up and the ball goes away to the fence.

Haris Rauf is back into the attack. His first over just cost four runs.

13.6

2

Missed by both the batsman and keeper. Floated well outside off, Gilkes looks to drag his sweep from there but misses. The ball goes right between the legs of Handscomb and they take two runs as the fielder from short third man cleans it up. No signal from the umpire, so maybe there was some bat involved.

13.5

1

Gives this air around off, Ferguson looks to sweep it against the spin. He does not time it well but manages to hit it in the deep on the leg side. Gets a single.

13.4

1

Slower leg spinner outside off, Gilkes cuts it to deep point with the spin for a single.

13.3

1

Quicker and shorter on middle, Ferguson flicks it to mid-wicket to follow the boundary with a single.

13.2

4

FOUR! That is hit really hard. Much-needed boundary for the Thunder. Sandeep tosses this one up on off, Ferguson sweeps it to the deep square leg region for a boundary.

13.1

1

Floated on middle, Gilkes plays the sweep to deep square leg and a single is taken.

Sandeep Lamichhane is back on. 2-0-11-0 are his figures.

12.6

3

Good fielding from the big man, Nathan Coulter-Nile. Floated delivery around off, Gilkes comes down the track and lofts it over extra cover. He does not time it well. Coulter-Niles runs from long off and saves it before the ropes with a dive. Saves a run for his side.

12.5

.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Gilkes looks to play the paddle but gets an inside edge and it hits him on the pads.

12.4

2

Tossed up on the pads, Gilkes flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket and gets a couple.

12.3

.

Short and just wide outside off, Gilkes looks to cut but misses.

12.2

4b

FOUR BYES! Slider from Zampa around the pads. Gilkes moves and looks to paddle. He misses it and so does Handscomb behind the stumps. The ball goes to the fine leg fence. Not a wide as Gilkes moved away there.

12.1

1

Tossed up on off, Ferguson comes down the track but just milks it to long on for one. Singles won't hurt Melbourne Stars.

Adam Zampa too has a change of ends. 2-0-10-1 are his figures so far.

11.6

1

Length delivery just outside off, Ferguson pulls it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end. So another good over from Coulter-Nile. He has gone for just 7 off his two.

11.5

1

Good length delivery on off, Gilkes pushes it to mid off and rotates the strike.

11.4

.

Once again Nathan hits the deck hard. It is outside off, Gilkes is struggling to get going here. He looks to cut but misses. No full ball yet from Nathan Coulter-Nile.

11.3

1

Good bowling this from Coulter-Nile. He is not giving any loose deliveries here. This is on a length around off, Ferguson dabs it to point for one.

11.2

1lb

A pacy ball on the body. Gilkes looks to pull but misses. The ball hits him in the midriff area and moves to the leg side. They take a leg bye.

11.1

1

Short ball around middle and leg, Ferguson pulls to the backward square leg region for a single.

Nathan Coulter-Nile has a change of ends. Picked up the wicket of Khawaja in his first over.

10.6

.

Play and a miss! Short and just outside off, it is too close for Gilkes to cut but he still tries. He is lucky not to edge that as it just about misses the edge. Sydney Thunder struggling to score now.

10.5

.

Once again Gilkes punches but straight to the fielder at cover.

10.4

1

Around the pads, Ferguson flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

10.3

.

Shorter around off, Callum cuts but straight to point.

10.2

.

Flatter outside off, Ferguson looks to hit it on the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

10.1

1

DROPPED! Tough chance but certainly a chance. Tossed up on off, Gilkes looks to hit it straight but does so uppishly. It goes straight back to the right of Lamichhane. He gets his hand to it but cannot hold onto it. The ball goes through and the batters take a run. Another wicket here and it would have been a disaster in the making for the Thunder.

Sandeep Lamichhane is back on. 1-0-9-0 are his figures.

9.6

1

Floated on middle, Gilkes milks it to long on and gets off the mark. He keeps the strike as well. Just 7 runs off the last two overs. Also two wickets in that period. 63/2 at the halfway mark.

9.5

1

On the pads, Ferguson glances it to mid-wicket for a single.

9.4

.

Floated on middle and leg, it is a googly. Ferguson looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal from the keeper and the bowler but the umpire turns it down.

Matthew Gilkes is the new man in.

9.3

W

OUT! Caught! One wicket brings two and that is what has happened here. This is very intelligent bowling from Zampa. He once again tosses this one up and bowls it slow. Hales comes down the track and looks to go over the on side. But all he manages is a leading edge which lobs to the right of point. Nathan Coulter-Nile moves to that side and takes a simple catch. Wicket either side of the Time-Out here and the Stars are shining. Both the openers back in the hut for the Thunder and they now have two new batsmen at the crease.

9.2

1

Beautiful ball this. Zampa gives this a lot of air on off, Ferguson looks to turn it to the on side but the ball goes off the leading edge towards long off for a single.

9.1

1

Leg spinner around off, Hales punches it with the spin towards cover-point for a single.

Tactical Time-Out has been taken. After a steady beginning by the Thunder openers where they added a 56-run stand, the Stars have managed to remove Khawaja. The hosts have not allowed the opposition to go all guns blazing and have managed to control the run flow so far. The man-in-form and the Thunder skipper, Callum Ferguson is in the middle and we can expect another good knock from his bat. The Stars, on the other hand, would try to keep picking wickets and build pressure.

8.6

1

Good length delivery around the body, Hales defends it towards point and gets a single to get through the over. Excellent first over from Coulter-Nile. Just 3 runs and a big wicket of Usman Khawaja.

8.5

.

Smart bowling this from Coulter-Nile. Cramps Hales for room and bowls it close to his body. Alex cannot do much but just block it.

8.4

1

On the pads, Ferguson tucks it towards mid-wicket for one. The Thunder skipper gets off the mark.

8.3

1

Coulter-Nile hits the deck hard again, this time Hales pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

8.2

.

Almost chopped on! Once again Nathan hits the deck hard. Hales too looks to pull but gets a bottom edge and luckily for Alex it does not go onto hit the stumps.

Callum Ferguson replaces Usman Khawaja out in the middle.

8.1

W

OUT! Usman Khawaja holes out! Coulter-Nile strikes on his very first ball of the match. The extra pace of Nathan does the trick and the Stars finally break the opening stand. NCN bowls a back of a length delivery. It is a very well-directed delivery as it is close to Usman's body. The ball hurries onto Khawaja and he mistimes his pull. It goes high in the air and goes towards deep square leg. Nick Larkin there judges it well and takes a good catch. The 56-run opening stand is broken.

Nathan Coulter-Nile is into the attack for the first time today.

7.6

1

Fuller one on middle, Usman works it down to long on for a single. He wants the couple but is sent back by Hales.

7.5

1

Shorter one outside off, Hales pushes it to deep point and takes a single.

7.4

.

Loopy outside off, Alex drives but finds the cover fielder who collects it on the bounce.

7.3

1

Floated on middle, Khawaja paddle sweeps it to short fine leg and takes a single. The fielder throws it to the keeper but Hales was in.

7.2

2

Short ball on middle, Khawaja rocks on his back foot and pulls it to deep square leg. Stoinis comes around and cleans it up but does not stop the batters from taking a couple.

7.1

1

Zampa starts with a floated ball on off, Hales pushes it down to long off for a single.

Spin from both ends. Adam Zampa is into the attack.

6.6

1

Hangs on the back foot and punches it past the bowler to long on for a single. 50 up for the Thunder!

6.5

.

Tossed up ball outside off, driven to covers.

6.4

2

In the air... SAFE! A completely miscued shot in the air. Loopy full delivery outside off, Hales throws his bat at it and badly times it in the air. The ball lands safely at extra cover and they take a couple of runs.

6.3

4

FOUR! Bang! This one is very full and around off, Hales lines it up and hammers it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

6.2

1

A loopy ball, reaching the batsman on the full, Khawaja flicks a low full toss off his pads to deep square leg for a single.

6.1

1

Flighted full ball outside off, it's driven through covers for a single.

Sandeep Lamichhane into the attack now. A slip in place...

5.6

1

DROPPED! Nic Maddinson is the culprit. Tough chance but it has to be taken at this level. Full delivery on middle and leg, Hales comes down the track and looks to hammer it over the mid-wicket fielder but does not get the required elevation on it. Maddinson at mid-wicket jumps and tries to pouch it with both hands but fails to do so. He tries to go for another attempt diving backwards but the ball lands safely. Back-to-back lucky breaks for the Thunder openers. Tidy but unlucky over for Rauf. 41 runs have come from the Powerplay.

5.5

1

OHH! Khawaja was gone for all money. Short delivery around middle and leg. Khawaja pulls it to short fine leg. Hales wants the run and calls Khawaja for it. He obliges and takes off. Worrall throws it to the bowler's end but misses. Big, big chance missed as the replays roll in and Khawaja was found to be well out of his crease.

5.4

1

Short ball on middle, Hales pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

5.3

.

Length ball on off at 145.9 kph, Alex looks to drive it off the back foot but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

5.2

.

That's some pace from the youngster! Full delivery on the pads at 150.5 kph. Hales looks to work it to the leg side but misses to get hit flush on the pads. Haris puts in a huge extended appeal but the umpire is not interested. The replays show that the ball was going on to miss the leg stump.

5.1

1

Good length ball at 141.5 kph. It is bowled around off, Khawaja guides it to short third man and takes off for a single. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end and hits but Hales was in.

There is a change in bowling. The speed merchant, Haris Rauf, has the ball in his hand. Expect the speed-gun to go bonkers.

4.6

1

Shorter outside off, Usman punches it to point for a single.

4.5

1

Floated on middle, flicked to deep square leg for a single.

4.4

4

FOUR! That's some nice piece of batting from Hales. Maxwell bowls a floated ball on middle, Hales moves to the leg side and then lifts it nonchalantly over the mid on fielder for a boundary. First one for him in this innings.

4.3

1

Tossed up ball on middle, Khawaja puts on his dancing shoes and flicks it to square leg for another run.

4.2

1

Flighted ball on middle, Hales dances down and flicks it to deep mid-wicket. Another run taken.

4.1

1

Maxwell dishes a flatter one outside off, Khawaja punches it through covers for a single.

3.6

.

On off, defended towards point off the front foot. 13 from the over, the most expensive one of the Powerplay, so far.

3.5

3

Helicopter shot comes out now! Fuller one on middle, Usman plays the helicopter shot towards deep mid-wicket and by the time Marcus Stoinis comes across, the batters take three.

3.4

.

Length ball down the leg side, Khawaja makes room and looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

3.3

4

FOUR! Hammered! This is brilliant batting from Usman Khawaja. Another full one on off, Khawaja stands tall and smashes it through mid off for a boundary.

3.2

4

FOUR! SMACKED! Worrall dishes a full one on middle, Khawaja drills this straight down the ground. Maxwell chases after it from mid on but the ball wins the race as it touches the ropes.

3.1

2

Shorter ball on middle, Khawaja comes down and pulls it to deep square leg and takes a couple before the fielder comes across and cleans it up.

2.6

1

Shorter one outside off, Khawaja cuts it to point and takes off for a single. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses.

2.5

1

The batsman charges down the wicket and eases it to long on. One run added to the total.

2.4

1

Flighted on off, Khawaja pushes it to covers where the fielder makes a half stop. The ball rolls to mid off and the batters take a single.

2.3

.

BEATEN! Bit of extra bounce and some turn as well. Tossed up ball outside off. Khawaja looks to cut misses due to the extra bounce on it.

2.2

1

Flatter one on middle and leg, Hales works it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over for a single.

2.1

1

Maxwell dishes a floated ball outside off, Usman dances down the track and pushes it to deep cover for a run.

1.6

1

On middle, pushed down to long on for a single. 6 runs off Worrall's first.

1.5

.

Short of a length ball on middle and leg. Khawaja looks to pull but hits the thigh pad. There is a slight appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire.

1.4

.

Fullish on off, Khawaja drives it nicely towards mid off.

1.3

4

FOUR! Nicely played! Full delivery outside off, Khawaja leans forward and creams the drive past the diving point fielder and it races away to the fence, first of the match.

1.2

.

Back of a length ball outside off, Khawaja stands tall and punches it but finds the point fielder.

1.1

1

Full delivery on middle, Hales flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

0.6

1

Looped up ball on middle, Alex works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

0.5

1

Flatter one outside off, pushed to deep cover and a single is taken.

0.4

.

Tossed up ball on middle, played back to the bowler.

0.3

1

Loopy delivery on middle and leg, Hales gets off the mark by flicking this to deep square leg for a single.

0.2

.

Fullish on middle, Hales pushes it back to Maxwell.

0.1

1

Runs straightaway. Maxwell starts with a flatter delivery outside off, Khawaja punches it towards deep cover for a single.

We are all set to begin the 28th match of this edition. The Melbourne Stars' players are making their way out to the middle. Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales follow them out to the field. Glenn Maxwell will start for the Stars with Khawaja taking strike.

Update - Wondering why is Chris Green not in the Playing XI? Well, the spinner has been banned from bowling for the remainder of this season due to a suspect bowling action.

Sydney Thunder (Playing XI) - Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson (C), Matthew Gilkes (WK), Alex Ross, Chris Morris, Daniel Sams, Chris Tremain, Arjun Nair, Nathan McAndrew (In for Brendan Doggett), Jonathan Cook (In for Chris Green).

Melbourne Stars (Playing XI) - Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (C), Peter Handscomb (WK), Hilton Cartwright (In for Ben Dunk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Haris Rauf (In for Dale Steyn), Sandeep Lamichhane.

Toss - Melbourne Stars win the bat flip and ELECT TO FIELD!

The second match of a double header Wednesday is upon us. It is Melbourne Stars hosting the Sydney Thunder at the iconic MCG. The hosts were dominant in their previous game against the Renegades and now they would look to win and regain their top spot. They have won 5 out of the 6 games so far and would be hoping to continue their dominance. Sydney Thunder, on the other hand, have lost both their games of the new year and would be looking for a turnaround. What will happen? Will the Stars continue to consolidate their lead at the top or will Sydney upset the hosts? Welcome to our coverage of Match 28 of the BBL 2019/20.

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Match 28, Melbourne, January 08, 2020, 01:40 PM

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