Match Center

That's a wrap on the league stage of the BBL 2024/25! We now have our final four teams, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, and Melbourne Stars. The knockout stage is just around the corner. The top two sides, Hobart Hurricanes, and the Sydney Sixers are all set to clash in the Qualifier, at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The first ball will be bowled at 8.30 am GMT, on January 21st, Tuesday. But do not forget to join us for the pre-match buildup and updates. It will be then followed by the Knockout clash between the third and fourth-placed teams, Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars at the Sydney Showground Stadium. That game will begin on Wednesday, 22nd January with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 8.30 am GMT. Until next time, cheers!

Glenn Maxwell of Melbourne Stars is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his blistering knock towards the backend of the first innings. He says it has been a great turnaround in this season for them. About Stoinis leading the side, he says that Marcus has been very consistent throughout and has held the group together. Mentions that the boys have outstanding and have given their 100 percent energy on the field. Also informs that they have a flight the next day and will also have a practice session in a few days. Concludes and hopes that this time they will get over the line.

Earlier in the game, the Melbourne Stars finished strong, recovering from a poor start to post a competitive total. Beau Webster and Marcus Stoinis laid the foundation with a 45-run partnership, which set the stage for Glenn Maxwell's explosive innings. The Big Show delivered, remaining unbeaten on 76 and guiding his team to a gigantic score. The bowlers shared the spoils, with Marcus Bean, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Owen, and Nikhil Chaudhary each claiming a wicket.

With the qualification at stake, the Melbourne Stars' bowlers delivered by restricting Hobart to a 179. Mark Steketee was the standout performer, claiming four wickets at an impressive economy rate of under 7. Usama Mir and Joel Paris also bowled well, picking up two wickets each, while Tom Curran and Marcus Stoinis took one wicket apiece.

The Hobart Hurricanes' chase got off to a disastrous start, losing Caleb Jewell and Charlie Wakim in the same over early on. Mitchell Owen kept on with some impressive ball-striking, but he too fell in the 6th over, leaving the Hurricanes in deep trouble. The wickets continued to tumble, preventing Hobart from building any momentum in the chase. Nathan Ellis did chance his arms right at the end and ended up scoring 40 off 22. Owen played well for his 38, while Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade, and Tim David chipped in with scores in the 20s.

The Melbourne Stars have secured the final playoff spot in the BBL! With a 40-run victory over Hobart, they leapfrog Perth into 4th place. What a turnaround this has been for the Stars! After a dismal start to the season, losing five consecutive games, they've won five on the trot since the new year. This incredible resurgence sets them up for a knockout clash against the Sydney Thunder.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND MAXWELL TAKES IT! MELBOURNE STARS ARE INTO THE PLAYOFFS! Mark Steketee bashes on the hard length, around off and middle, Nathan Ellis backs away to create some room for himself and pulls it aerially to clear the ropes. Doesn't quite time it well and the ball travels over the fielder at the ropes. Glenn Maxwell though, times his leap in time and takes a sharp catch over his head. He loses his balance after pouching the ball but redeems himself well just before the ropes. So, 5 wins on the bounce after 5 straight defeats for the Melbourne Stars. Talk about a comeback!

OUT! IN THE AIR AND MAXWELL TAKES IT! MELBOURNE STARS ARE INTO THE PLAYOFFS! Mark Steketee bashes on the hard length, around off and middle, Nathan Ellis backs away to create some room for himself and pulls it aerially to clear the ropes. Doesn't quite time it well and the ball travels over the fielder at the ropes. Glenn Maxwell though, times his leap in time and takes a sharp catch over his head. He loses his balance after pouching the ball but redeems himself well just before the ropes. So, 5 wins on the bounce after 5 straight defeats for the Melbourne Stars. Talk about a comeback!

FOUR! Carved away! Too full and outside off, Nathan Ellis shovels it out, opens the bat face and guides it between backward point and short third for another boundary. Moves into the 40s, does Ellis.

At the stumps, on a fuller length, this is smashed down to long on. Ellis decides to keep the strike with him.

Takes the single in the last ball to retain the strike! Length, on the stumps, drilled down to long on for a single.

Length ball, on middle, Ellis pulls it over mid on. It lands on the bounce ahead of Maxwell at long on.

A bouncer. Ellis looks to upper cut it over the keeper but misses.

FOUR! Shot! Paris bowls a length-delivery, around middle and leg, Ellis comes down the track and gives himself some room to guide it between the gap of short third man and backward point for a boundary.

Length and around off, Bean guides it to the right of backward point for a single.

Marcus Bean walks out last to bat.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! This is a fine catch from Mark Steketee! Decent stint with the ball and now helps his team get a wicket off a stunning catch! Joel Paris hurls it on a fullish length, on the stumps, Cameron Gannon tries to go bit over the leg side, but gets no distance whatsoever as it spoons in the air off the toe-end of the bat. The ball hangs in the air for a long, long time over the square leg region. At the same time, a flock of seagulls fly above the same region. Mark Steketee though shows excellent commitment as he runs forward from 45 and dives to take a screamer of a catch.