Melbourne, Jan 12 (FN Agency) In a thrilling Melbourne Derby at Docklands Stadium, Novak Djokovic was among the fans as Glenn Maxwell’s blistering knock guided Melbourne Stars to a vital 42-run victory over Melbourne Renegades, keeping their Big Bash League (BBL) finals hopes alive. Maxwell, once again the Stars’ saviour, smashed an unbeaten 90 from 52 balls, including 10 sixes and 4 fours, to rescue his side from a perilous position. The Stars, having been reduced to 7-75, posted a total of 165 thanks to Maxwell’s destructive batting. His 81-run partnership with tailender Usama Mir, who made a duck, was crucial in the turnaround. Though Djokovic caught the early stages of Maxwell’s innings, he made an early exit to focus on his Australian Open campaign.
Maxwell, however, took centre stage and played a crucial role in lifting the Stars from the depths of despair. Renegades’ chase of 166 was thwarted by a superb bowling display from Mark Steketee (5-17) and Joel Paris (3-13). The Stars bowled the Renegades out for 123, with Steketee claiming career-best figures. Despite a valiant 26 from Tim Seifert, the Renegades’ batting faltered under relentless pressure. Jake Fraser-McGurk’s continued lean run saw him dismissed for 19, while Steketee’s two wickets in consecutive balls in the 17th over denied him a hat-trick. The Stars (4-5) now sit with four consecutive wins, keeping their top-four hopes alive with just one match remaining, while the Renegades (3-5) are left with a slim chance of qualification after their fourth defeat in five matches. Maxwell’s fireworks, combined with the bowlers’ brilliance, have set up an exciting conclusion to the regular season, with both teams battling for a spot in the finals.