MAXWELL HEROICS LIFT STARS INTO FINALS
GLENN Maxwell has delivered a stunning batting performance to propel Melbourne Stars into the BBL finals and deny Sydney Sixers a home semi-final.
Maxwell’s stunning knock of 82 off 43 balls in yesterday afternoon’s do-or-die regular season finale at the MCG paved the way for a dominant 94-run win.
Set a target of 169, the hapless Sixers were skittled for just 74 as Nepalese legspinner Sandeep Lamicchane snared 3-11.
The win lifts the Stars above Brisbane Heat to a fourth-placed finish and a semi-final against minor premiers Hobart Hurricanes.
It also takes Melbourne Renegades above the Sixers to second on the ladder, meaning they will host the second semi-final against the Sixers.
Maxwell was contained early but scored his final 65 runs off just 23 balls, including three sixes in the final over from Ben Dwarshuis.
His spectacular knock came to an end off the final ball of the innings when he was caught at mid off, again attempting to clear the boundary rope. Incredibly, the Stars were 4-101 at the 16over mark before Maxwell turned the match on its head.