BBL, Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers: Glenn Maxwell 50, Beau Webster strikes as Abbott fires

A controversial catch was among the talking points as Glenn Maxwell smashed a super half-century for the Stars to lead the Melbourne club to victory against the Sixers.

Glenn Maxwell celebrates his half century. Picture: Getty Images

Glenn Maxwell responded to his Australian Test squad snub in the most emphatic way possible as he kept the Melbourne Stars’ finals dream alive with a 17-run win over the Sydney Sixers.

The veteran all-rounder slammed an unbeaten 58 off 32 balls and took two momentum-shifting catches in the same over on the mid-wicket boundary to cause a major upset and hand the Stars a third consecutive win.

The Stars’ batting order reshuffle with Maxwell lower down at No. 6 paid off once again as they defended 5-156 after being sent in to bat on a slow MCG wicket on Thursday night.

Led by Sean Abbott (3-29) along with tight spells from medium-pacers Jack Edwards and Hayden Kerr, the first-placed Sixers looked in control until they lost 3-1 in five deliveries as Stoinis removed set batters James Vince (53) and Moises Henriques (13) before Peter Siddle clean bowled Jordan Silk in the next over to leave them 5-97 with almost 12 runs per over required.

Glenn Maxwell steered the Stars to a massive win against the Sixers. Picture: Getty Images

Jack Edwards departed soon after to a contentious return catch by Usama Mir, which was examined at length by the video umpire over concerns it had not carried back down the pitch to the Pakistani wristspinner.

BBL catch controversy

Henriques fumed as Maxwell was dropped over the boundary rope for six by Kurtis Patterson when he was on three, and then survived a possible glove through to the keeper because the Sixers were deemed not to have appealed in time.

After seeing a replay on the big screen, the Sixers captain indicated he wanted to review for a caught behind dismissal, but Maxwell remonstrated with the square leg umpire saying the replay had been shown too quickly.

The official agreed with Maxwell, and former England captain Michael Vaughan said the almost-review had been a farce.

“It’s something that shouldn’t really happen at this level,” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.

Glenn Maxwell led the Stars to a defendable total. Picture: Getty Images

MAXI MAGIC

If he was disappointed after being overlooked for the Test tour of Sri Lanka, Maxwell didn’t let it show as he ignited the Stars’ innings with a sublime array of shots after taking the power surge at 4-80 in the 13th over.

Maxwell twice stayed deep in his crease and used the exceptional power in his wrists to flick two Sean Abbott deliveries straight down the ground, as he and Beau Webster (48) took 19 off the over to change the course of the match.

In the first over of the Sixers’ power surge, he took two catches up against the boundary line to give captain Marcus Stoinis the vital wickets of Vince and Henriques.

Moises Henriques takes a catch to dismiss Beau Webster. Picture: Getty Images

MUSIC SLOWS GAME

Henriques called for Big Bash stadium DJs to tidy up their acts as the Sixers were kept waiting by the “same problem as usual” between balls and at the start of overs.

“This is frustrating … we’re just waiting for the music (to stop) out here, but I’ll probably get fined for the slow over rate,” he told Fox Cricket.

“It’s just the timing. We’re trying to speed these games up so the kids come out to the games and we can get them home and sign some autographs for them after the game.

“When you’re waiting at the end of every over for the music … it’s just games finishing too late.”

SEAGULL: THE SEQUEL

The MCG will need to reintroduce its seagull-deterrence measures after they flocked in their dozens to the surface during the second innings.

Seagulls at the MCG were a talking point throughout the Stars-Sixers clash, which ended with one bird being fatally struck. Picture: Getty Images

It evoked memories of the famous Rob Quiney seagull rescue in 2015, but a bird in this game was not as lucky when it was hit with the full force of a James Vince straight drive.

“I’ve never fielded like this when I’ve got all of this in front of me, and from behind the bowler’s arm,” Stars fielder Ben Duckett told Fox Cricket after the fatal bird strike.

Less than five minutes later, the Englishman grassed a sitter from among the swarming seagulls when Vince hit a high ball straight to him at long-off on 36.

Originally published as BBL, Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers: Glenn Maxwell 50, Beau Webster strikes as Abbott fires