Big Bash Daily: Fletcher fires as Melbourne Stars get back to winning ways at MCG

Adelaide Strikers bowled out for 68 after Andre Fletcher rescues Stars with patient 89 off 49 balls

Spiceman stars as Melbourne get back to winning ways

It was a happy homecoming for Melbourne Stars as they defeated Adelaide Strikers by 111 runs to end a run of one win in their last six matches.

Playing at the MCG for the first time in BBL 10, Andre Fletcher ended his own sorry run of form with a well-crafted 89 not out off 49 balls. However, it didn’t always look so comfortable for Stars.

Starting their innings at a sedentary pace, they lost in-form opener Marcus Stoinis for a laboured 13 (26) in the seventh over before reaching the 10-over mark with just 57-1 on the scoreboard.

However, after losing skipper Glenn Maxwell for 37 in the in the 15th over, Fletcher and Hilton Cartwright exploded into life. The pair smashed 77 runs off the final 35 balls, including three successive boundaries from Cartwright in the 19th over, to set Strikers 180 to win.

Cartwright finished on 30 not out off 17 but it was Fletcher who rightly gained the applause of his teammates. The West Indian had previously amassed just 99 runs in BBL 10 but showed great composure and patience to drag his side back into the contest and capped off his knock with a thumping six straight down the ground off the final ball.

🌶 SIX 🌶

Is tonight the night for Andre Fletcher aka The Spiceman? #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/xMF6l17wxW

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 11, 2021

It was a different story for Strikers, however, who never looked capable of completing the chase. After losing openers Phil Salt and Alex Carey inside the powerplay, Strikers struggled to score more than eight an over and missed the Bash Boost point by eight runs. However, the worst was yet to come.

Losing three wickets in three overs to enter the 13th over 59/5, Adam Zampa took three wickets in six balls to reduce the Strikers to 63/8. Billy Stanlake dismissed Cameron Valente in the following over before Zampa bowled out Liam O’Connor to complete Adelaide’s collapse.  

Rare bad day for Wes Agar as Zampa races up Golden Arm standings

Prior to Friday’s clash at the MCG, Wes Agar had figures of 17-287 off 37.5 overs in this edition of Big Bash. Against Melbourne Stars, he posted 0-46. Losing Rashid Khan to international duty and Peter Siddle to injury, Strikers were banking on Agar to lead their bowling attack, but he was no match for the Spiceman in red-hot form.

Agar does retain second place in the Golden Arm standings – one behind Jhye Richardson and Mark Steketee – but he now has company from Zampa. Taking 5-17, the Australia international catapulted himself back into contention and, on current form, is one of the favourites for the yellow cap.

Adam Zampa's wrong-un undoes Matt Renshaw! @StrikersBBL now 3-44 in the 10th over 🥶 #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/uxWsVdAdTN

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 15, 2021

Strikers record lowest ever BBL total

In being bowled out for 68, Alex Carey’s side collected an unwanted accolade. They now have the lowest ever BBL total recorded by the Strikers, overtaking their previous worst knock of 87 all out against Sydney Sixers back in BBL01.

It is also the third lowest total in BBL history, behind two Melbourne Renegades knocks – 57 all out vs Stars (2014-15) and 60 all out vs Sixers (2020-21) – and the second lowest score of BBL10.

Big Bash fixtures 2020-21: Full BBL schedule, matches dates

Sixers looking to extend lead with victory over Perth Scorchers on Saturday

Sydney Sixers could take a 10-point lead at the top of the table if they secure maximum points against Perth Scorchers on Saturday. Sixers easily overcame local rivals Thunder in the Sydney smash on Wednesday but shouldn’t underestimate Scorchers who bowled them out for 97 when the two sides met earlier in January.

Scorchers, meanwhile, are looking to extend their unbeaten streak to six matches and could climb into second position with a win in Canberra.