Melbourne Stars break BBL drought with win over Brisbane Heat

The Melbourne Stars have snapped their winless streak in the 2024-25 BBL, winning in their sixth attempt of the season against the Heat in Brisbane on Wednesday evening.

Melbourne’s bowlers put together a strong team performance after putting Brisbane Heat in to bat first, restricting the home side to 7/149, then chasing it down with five wickets and 11 balls remaining.

Max Bryant (77 from 48) was the only Heat batsman to make a splash on Wednesday, with the remainder of the top order folding early in the innings.

At one point the Stars had Brisbane at 4/39 after Tom Banton (13 from 11), Colin Munro (1 from 7), Nathan McSweeney (5 from 15) and Matt Renshaw (9 from 6) all failed to get going.

Bryant’s knock redeemed Brisbane somewhat as he briefly found company from Paul Walter (21 from 18), but ultimately the hosts would limp to a sub-par total.

Having struggled to score runs this season, the Stars did not make a strong start to their chase.

Cricket bookmakers shortened the odds for a sixth-consecutive Melbourne loss after Ben Duckett (0 from 1), Thomas Rogers (6 from 7) and Sam Harper (8 from 11) all fell early, leaving the Stars at 3/14.

Captain Marcus Stoinis (62 from 48) then saved the day alongside Dan Lawrence (64 from 38), with the pair putting on 132 runs for the fourth wicket and taking Melbourne to within four runs of victory.

A pair of late wickets fell, but it was not enough to stop Melbourne claiming their first win as they moved through to 5/153 from 18.1 overs.

“Big relief, nice way to start the year,” Stoinis said after winning player of the match.

“We’ve wanted to show the same character despite the results, we did that.

“Lawrence batted brilliantly, we tried to keep each other calm.

“It was an important win.

“I’ve been partly disappointed with my own performances, get more than starts, that’s the blueprint for us.

“We’re going back to the MCG and can make it our fortress, got some rest too.”

Despite the win, Melbourne are still favoured to finish bottom of the BBL table this season, with Marantelli Bet paying $2.37 for the Stars to bag the wooden spoon.

Big Bash bookmakers have their title odds at a long $26, with a playoff spot still four points away on the ladder for the struggling side.

Next up, the Stars face fifth-placed Melbourne Renegades in a local derby on Saturday night.

Before then, the Renegades face the Adelaide Strikers on Thursday night, where they are $1.82 favourites to win at Marantelli Bet.

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