The BBL 2 winners were eliminated from the competition when Joe Clarke and Glenn Maxwell’s century partne Melbourne: Melbourne Stars won by eight wickets over Brisbane Heat, 150-2 to 149-6.
Scorecard
By defeating Brisbane Heat and eliminating them from the Big Bash League at the MCG, Melbourne Stars maintained their chances of making the playoffs.
The aim of 150 was easily attained thanks to a century partnership between the openers Joe Clarke and Glenn Maxwell.
Heat had earlier added 149 for 6 from their 20 overs thanks to Ben Duckett’s 51.
Nathan McSweeney (20), skipper Chris Lynn (28), Lachlan Pfeffer (11) and Jimmy Peirson all contributed (15).rship made quick work of the chase.
They were unable to slow down and set a formidable total despite an early stand worth 50.
Maxwell and Adam Zampa each took two wickets, and Nathan Coulter-Nile, making his comeback, also claimed a victim.
To end the hunt quickly in reaction, Clarke and Maxwell unleashed a crushing onslaught.
After 10 overs, they had reached 99 without loss, and they promptly requested the power surge to complete the task fast.
Despite the fact that the openig pair were both out in those overs, Stars were still the clear favourites.
In the thirteenth over, Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis took the returning Mitch Swepson for 23, effectively securing the victory.
With 37 deliveries left, Stoinis then hit James Bazley to the boundary to complete the task.
With the win, Stars move up to sixth position in the standings, two points behind Hobart Hurricanes and four points behind fourth-place Adelaide Strikers, who still have a game in hand. The last regular-season game is slated to be Stars-Hurricanes.
Heat will be eager to avoid receiving the wooden spoon, which they did for the only time in BBL 2004, given that their hopes of finishing in the top five have been dashed.
They are just above Melbourne Renegades, who are even on 15 points with them in seventh place, because of their higher net run rate. In their final two games, they take on the top two teams in Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers.