BBL 2018/19 56th Match: Maxwell powers Stars into the semi-finals

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Glenn Maxwell 82 Melbourne Stars Sydney Sixers Big Bash League BBL 56th Match cricket

Glenn Maxwell hammered a superb 82 to help the Melbourne Stars qualify for the BBL semi-finals

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Melbourne Stars captain Glenn Maxwell walloped a 43-ball 82 to help his side crush the Sydney Sixers by 94 runs and advance to the Big Bash League semi-finals.

Opting to bowl first, the Sixers got the early breakthrough they were looking for as Stars opener Ben Dunk was dismissed by Sean Abbott for one run.

Marcus Stoinis managed to make 34 before he was caught behind off the bowling of Tom Curran.

Peter Handscomb made a 34-ball 35 before he was caught by James Vince at wide long-off off the bowling of Steve O’Keefe.

Nic Maddinson and Dwayne Bravo fell shortly after, but Maxwell rescued his side.

Maxwell dominated the 52-run partnership he put together with Seb Gotch and went on to hammer a 43-ball 82, which included four boundaries and six sixes, before he was removed by Ben Dwarshuis on the last ball of the innings.

Thank to Maxwell’s heroics, the Stars finished on 168/6.

Curran was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Abbott, O’Keefe and Dwarshuis chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 169 to win, the Sixers lost opener Josh Philippe on the 11th ball as he was caught by Bravo off the bowling of Jackson Bird for nine runs.

Vince only made six runs before he was caught by Bravo at mid-off off the bowling of Daniel Worrall.

Things went from bad to worse as Sixers skipper Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Curran and Abbott were dismissed in quick succession.

With the Sixers reeling at 50/7, they were unable to recover as they were skittled out for 74.

Sandeep Lamichhane was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Worrall and Adam Zampa snapped up two wickets apiece. As for Bird and Maxwell, they claimed one wicket each.

Maxwell was named Man of the Match.

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