HH vs MS

Well, that's a wrap! This contest has transpired into a heartbreak for the Melbourne Stars. Their dream of winning a BBL title lingers on. But there is plenty to look forward to as the Hobart Hurricanes have progressed through and will be meeting the Sydney Sixers in the Challenger this Friday. Don't miss out on this riveting encounter. That would be all from our side as we come to the end of this BBL contest. For now, it's Soumarya Dutta signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Datrim. See you soon. 

Player of the Match [Beau Webster 47 off 26]: "Yeah, it was very hard. The last few moments felt like they could go anywhere, so you never know. I thought the Stars had a great season but fell short towards the end. Happy that our boys put up a fine performance and we were able to pull it off in this rain-affected fixture. (His thoughts on the score) It was difficult when we started off. We would have wanted to get a few more, but we took that. (About facing the Sixers on Friday) Ohh yeah, they are a quality outfit with some great Australian players like Starc and Steven Smith, so we will have to be on top of our game."

Ushnish Deka: "What an outstanding game of cricket. Would have loved a 20 over contest but this kind of a thriller more than makes up for it."

Melbourne Stars 81/3 in 7 overs

Joe Clarke 31(17) | Riley Meredith 2/19
Hilton Cartwright 15(4) | Mitchell Owen 1/22 

Chasing a target of 115 in a rain-shortened 10-over contest, the Melbourne Stars endured a difficult start to their innings. Thomas Rogers struggled to find his rhythm and was eventually bowled by Riley Meredith for 4 runs in the second over. This early breakthrough left the Stars at 5/1 and immediately put them under pressure to find boundaries in the reduced-overs game. 

Joe Clarke spearheaded the recovery, top-scoring for the Stars with 31 runs from 17 deliveries, an innings that featured four boundaries and a six. He shared a 36-run partnership for the second wicket, but the momentum was interrupted by an unusual dismissal when Sam Harper was "Retired Out" for 1012. Clarke’s own stay at the crease ended shortly after when he was caught by Mitchell Owen off Meredith, who picked up his second wicket. The middle order failed to sustain the required pace as captain Marcus Stoinis was caught by Meredith off the bowling of Mitchell Owen for 9. 

His departure left the Stars at 66/4 in the seventh over2. Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright then attempted a late charge, with Cartwright smashing two fours and a six to reach 15 not out from just four balls, while Maxwell remained unbeaten on 9. Under the DLS method, the Hobart Hurricanes were declared winners by 3 runs. Riley Meredith was the standout performer with the ball for the Hurricanes, finishing with figures of 2/19 from his two overs to help secure the narrow victory. Rishad Hossain played his part too as he bowled a couple of tough overs in the back end. 

6.6 Mitchell Owen to Hilton Cartwright, Just a single! Owen restricts the Stars and Hurricanes win! Owen goes full and wide outside off. That ball was there to be hit, but all Cartwright could do was hit it along the carpet to deep extra cover for only a single.

Five runs to win from the final ball now. Unreal drama here at the Blundstone Arena. The rain has been a real dampner but this game has more than made up for it in the entertainment value. 

6.5 Mitchell Owen to Hilton Cartwright, High in the air and over the ropes! Carthwright is keeping the Stars alive! Length ball around off. Cartwright shuffles across and launches it high and handsome into the night sky. The ball comfortably flies over the ropes for a six!

6.4 Mitchell Owen to Hilton Cartwright, FOUR MORE! 11 off 2 needed now! Owen tries to go for the wide yorker but ends up serving a juicy half volley. Cartwright gets his bat down on time and drills it through extra cover to find the ropes.

6.3 Mitchell Owen to Hilton Cartwright, Overpitched and four! Too full and wide outside off. Cartwright thows his hands at that one and belts it just over extra cover for a four.

6.2 Mitchell Owen to Marcus Stoinis, In the air and gone this time! Length ball outside off. Stoinis slices it in the air again, but this time he does not get the distance, and the fielder at deep point does not make any mistake. Game on!

6.1 Mitchell Owen to Marcus Stoinis, Ohh my! SIX bonus runs for the Stars! Short and wide outside off. Stoinis blasts it over extra cover but finds the fielder in the deep. He takes the catch in the first attempt but fails to get rid of the bal in time before jumping over the boundary

Mitchell Owen, right arm fast medium, comes into the attack. 

Rishad Hossain was thrown into in the ring of fire and he has done a good job for his team. He gave away only 11 runs from that one. The Stars will need to get 26 runs from the final over now and it will be a really up hill task.