Stars’ Maxwell unleashes BBL Big Show
|
Glenn Maxwell has turned looming disaster into domination with his maiden Big Bash League century.
The Melbourne Stars captain came to the crease with his team in crisis at 2-6 and fresh memories of their season-opening embarrassment against the Sydney Sixers.
When he was dismissed in the second-last over on Wednesday night at the MCG, Maxwell had plundered 103 from 57 balls, with three sixes and 12 fours.
He propelled the Stars to 5-177 from their 20 overs, with coach David Hussey declaring during the innings 160 would be a par score.
Adding to the Sixers’ worries, spinner Steve O’Keefe limped off late in the innings after snaring 1-24 from his four overs.
The Sixers paid dearly for a missed chance in the fifth over, with Lloyd Pope dropping Maxwell in the deep.
Maxwell had belted a four and a six off Ben Dwarshuis – his 100th six in the BBL – and was on 15 when Pope grassed him, diving forward.
From there the man known as the Big Show was unstoppable.
Nick Larkin and Hilton Cartwright scored 23 apiece in vital half-century stands with Maxwell as their captain tore the Sixers attack apart.
He took 20 off Dwarshuis in the 14th over, with three fours and a six.
It was a far cry from the start of the innings, when openers Marcus Stoinis and Joe Clarke were dismissed in the opening three overs after Sydney won the toss.
In game one, the Stars suffered a record 152-run BBL loss when the Sixers bowled them out for 61.
Larkin’s dismissal in the ninth over meant the Stars were still in some strife at 3-59, but an 85-run stand between Maxwell and Cartwright meant they set a solid target.
Chris Jordan also took 1-24 from four overs.
Sydney are second on the ladder and Melbourne third with 2-1 records.
Dwarshuis and Pope came into the Sixers lineup, while Melbourne are unchanged.
