An undermanned Melbourne Stars outfit has been slammed over a “horrendous” batting effort in a record-breaking loss to the Sydney Sixers in the BBL11 season opener.
After inserting their opponents in, the Stars were forced to chase 214 and fell embarrassingly short of the target, bowled out for just 61 in response.
The eventual 152-run margin between the two sides was the largest in terms of runs in BBL history.
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The Stars’ score was the third-lowest in BBL history, and the lowest in team history, replacing the previous low of 99 scored last season against the same opponents.
The rot began early in Melbourne’s run chase with veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe nabbing the wickets of highly-touted English import Joe Clarke and Nick Larkin within the first five deliveries of the innings.
While Melbourne would have hoped skipper Glenn Maxwell, fresh off winning the T20 World Cup, would be able to inspire them, the right-hander lasted just eight deliveries before being bowled by Sean Abbott for four.
When Adam Zampa was dismissed by O’Keefe in the ninth over with the score reading 9-47, Melbourne looked headed for a record low, before eclipsing the Renegades’ record low of 57 with a last-wicket stand of 14 between Brody Couch and Syed Faridoun.
The Stars were without the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile, but received little sympathy for their performance, with Brett Lee labelling the batting effort “horrendous” on Fox Cricket’s coverage.
“It’s just not good enough,” Mark Waugh added on commentary.
“It’s alright to get beat, but you’ve got to show some fight, don’t you? Unfortunately for the Stars tonight, none of them are showing any fight.”
The performance also left a sour taste in the mouth of Victorian great Darren Berry, who said the Stars had been “absolutely humiliated”.
https://twitter.com/ChuckBerry1969/status/1467448489600708615
“Will take some serious reassembly from here,” Berry tweeted during the run chase.
“Don’t justify this performance with chasing the bash boost point – it is such a soft excuse. Completely outplayed in all skill areas all night.”