BBL: Melbourne Stars climb to second spot with eight-wicket win over Sydney Thunder

Skipper Glenn Maxwell and Nick Larkin lead Melbourne Stars to their third win in the Big bash League 2018-19 chasing down a target of 136 with eight wickets in hand

Skipper Glenn Maxwell and Nick Larkin lead Melbourne Stars to their third win in the Big Bash League 2018-19 chasing down a target of 136 with eight wickets in hand and 16 balls to spare in match 20 of the tournament at the Carrara Oval on Saturday.

Opting to bat first, Sydney lost their foreign recruit Jos Buttler early to Scott Boland for 18 off 17 balls, followed by the wicket of callum Ferguson off the very next ball for a duck. Skipper Shane Watson departed soon after to Adam Zampa for 14.

Joe Root tried to hold the innings together a 28-ball 26-run knock but his wicket, followed by preceded by that of Jason Sangha (10), in a span of four balls derailed Sydney.

However, allrounder Daniel Sams played a good hand of 42 off just 25 balls to push Sydney’s total to 135. for Melbourne Marcus Stoinis picked 2/29 while Boland returned 2.28 in his four overs.

In reply, Melbourne lost opener Ben Dunk early for 13 to Sams but Stoinis hit his way to a 22-ball 34-run knock. He was picked up by Fawad Ahmed.

But, Maxwell and Larkin then combined for an unbeaten stand of 70 runs for the third wicket scoring 41 runs to take their team to victory.