BBL finals at risk as struggling Stars shot down again
MELBOURNE Stars coach David Hussey said it would be “extremely disappointing” to miss out on the BBL finals with the level of quality in his squad.
Back-to-back losses have put the Stars in danger of missing the finals for just the second time after an 11-run loss to the Perth Scorchers on Saturday night.
The result has set up a mustwin clash against the Sydney
Sixers on Australia Day, where even a win might not be enough – such is the close nature of this season’s competition.
“We’re relying on other teams to win and we have to win our last game or we’re out of the competition. And for such a proud club, that would be a very disappointing result. For the squad that we have, too, that would be exceptionally disappointing,” Hussey said.
After a deflating derby loss to the Renegades midweek, Hussey said his side’s batting performance against the Scorchers was “sub-par” and the mood in the rooms immediately afterwards was “flat”.
“A few people are disappointed in their own performance,” Hussey said.
“What we do have is really good team morale. The boys will be really up for the 26th (of January) game against the Sydney Sixers. I hope the boys are hurting because all our fans are hurting and I’m hurting as well.”
The Stars have finished runner-up in the past two seasons and, along with the Hobart Hurricanes, are the only sides to not have lifted the BBL trophy.
But Hussey said his side “match up really well with the Sixers”.
The Stars took three spinners (Adam Zampa, Zahir Khan and Clint Hinchliffe) into the game against the Scorchers, and Hussey
said he believed that was the formula to win at the MCG.
He also backed skipper Glenn Maxwell, who has returned single-figure scores in five of his past seven innings, to bounce back when it mattered.
“He’s across everything, he’s a consummate professional and he wants to do well for the Stars,” Hussey said.
“Mark my words, in the big games he’ll be firing, especially against the Sydney Sixers.”