Stunning Stoinis hits 99 in vain as Stars loses to Heat

Brisbane Heat was too strong for Melbourne Stars at the Gabba, even though the visitor's Marcus Stoinis was the game's standout batsman.

Brisbane looked set to triumph with ease when it reduced its opponent to 53-4 inside seven overs, but Stoinis kept his Stars' slim hopes alive by thumping six fours and six maximums.

A fantastic 99 from Marcus Stoinis proved in vain as Melbourne Stars begun its Big Bash League campaign with a 15-run loss to Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

The Stars' two marquee batsmen, Kevin Pietersen and Glenn Maxwell, each failed to fire on Wednesday, making 10 and eight respectively after the host had set a daunting target of 207.

Brisbane looked set to triumph with ease when it reduced its opponent to 53-4 inside seven overs, but Stoinis kept his side's slim hopes alive by thumping six fours and six maximums as he dominated a fifth-wicket stand of 137 with James Faulkner (47 not out).

Stoinis' outstanding 51-ball innings eventually came to a disappointing end in the final over of the match, which began with the Stars requiring an unlikely 24 to win.

After being dropped from the third ball of the over and running two to reach 98, Stoinis was again put down in the deep off Mark Steketee, only to then be run out as he came back in search of a second.

The Heat was missing the destructive Chris Lynn due to a hamstring complaint, but still looked full of firepower as it amassed 206-7 after being inserted.

Brendon McCullum thumped 40 from 22 balls at the top of the order, while there were quickfire fifties for Joe Burns (50 off 28) and Alex Ross (51 off 36) before Ben Cutting (35 off 18) provided further impetus in the closing overs.

 

DREAM DEBUT WICKET FOR DOGGETT

Brendan Doggett wasted little time in making an impression for the Heat on his Twenty20 debut.

The 23-year-old seamer saw his second delivery thumped for six by Pietersen, but gained swift revenge by having the former England batsman caught at mid-off by McCullum next ball.

 

BUT HASTINGS AND BOLAND ENDURE NIGHTMARE SHOWINGS

John Hastings and Scott Boland came in for the heaviest punishment as the likes of McCullum and Burns teed off.

Both bowlers conceded a whopping 48 runs from three overs, Boland giving up 24 in the third over and Hastings going for 23 in the 11th.

Boland was at least able to claim the consolation of a wicket when Ross was caught at cover by Pietersen, but his day was nevertheless a painful one.

 

FOUR IN A ROW

The Heat have now won four matches in a row against the Stars, despite losing the toss on each occasion.