Brisbane Heat opener Colin Munro left stranded as Melbourne Stars suffer humiliating defeat in BBL opener

Ricky Ponting couldn’t believe what he was seeing as a Brisbane Heat batter was ruthlessly booed by his own fans at the Gabba.

The Brisbane Heat have got their Big Bash League campaign off to the perfect start, thumping the Melbourne Stars by 103 runs in a one-sided contest at the Gabba.

New Zealand opener Colin Munro, who finished unbeaten on 99, feasted on the Stars’ bowling attack on Thursday evening, guiding the hosts towards 3-214, the club’s second-highest team total in BBL history.

The 36-year-old, who has never scored a century for the Heat, watched from the non-striker’s end as teammate Max Bryant slapped the final three deliveries towards the boundary, prompting boos from the Brisbane crowd.

“It’s not too often a Brisbane Heat batsman gets booed at the Gabba for hitting a boundary. He’s copping it here, Max Bryant!” Ricky Ponting said in Channel 7 commentary.

Munro was all class after being left stranded, saying his focus is all about the team goals.

“I’m not too worried about the 99, I think Maxy came out and got three boundaries in the last three balls. It’s a team game,” Munro said.

Max Bryant (L) and Colin Munro of the Heat leave the field at the conclusion of the first innings. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“Guys that know me and have played with me know that I’m team first. Ninety-nine or 100, nothing really matters as long as we’ve got enough (runs) tonight.”

The Stars never looked like reeling in the target in their run chase, rolled for 111 in 15.1 overs to leave a heavy dent in its net run rate.

COLIN MUNRO STRANDED ON 99! 😩

Munro watched the final three deliveries from the other end...

📺 WATCH #BBL13 on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/bO5P5ypyKo
✍ BLOG https://t.co/9Wdz8TRxcX
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/ehdYxpEuldpic.twitter.com/mSwb0M9ku7

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 7, 2023

The visitors let themselves down in the field after captain Glenn Maxwell won the bat flip and elected to bowl first, dropping two catches and missing a run-out chance.

Khawaja (28 from 19 balls) was gifted an extra life in the first over, dropped at point for 2, while Munro was handed a massive reprieve on 58, with Tom Rogers the culprit on both occasions.

Australian Test batter Marnus Labuschagne, later dismissed by Joel Paris for 30 (23), should have been run out in the 13th over, but Joe Burns’ throw at the striker’s end was wayward.

Munro combined with Khawaja for a 66-run opening stand and Labuschagne for an 82-run partnership, clearing the boundary rope five times throughout his blistering knock. Heat gloveman Sam Billings (18 from 11 deliveries) and Bryant (15 not out from seven balls) provided some late fireworks, setting the tourists a 215-run target for victory.

The first wicket falls! 😯

Usman Khawaja departs for 28! 👀

📺 WATCH #BBL13 on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/bO5P5ypyKo
✍ BLOG https://t.co/9Wdz8TRxcX
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/ehdYxpEuldpic.twitter.com/gDMvB4BcYH

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 7, 2023

The Stars’ run chase got off to a horror start, with seamer Michael Neser removing both openers in the first over; wicketkeeper Sam Harper was trapped on the pads for 4 before Rogers top-edged a bouncer on 1.

Heat spinners Mitchell Swepson and Matthew Kuhnemann ripped the heart out of the middle order before the drinks break, with the Stars losing 3-5 in ten deliveries.

Maxwell, who was battling a sore forearm, scooped a reverse sweep towards deep cover for 23 before all-rounder Marcus Stoinis chipped a catch to cover for 2.

Glenn Maxwell is GONE! 😱

A HUGE blow for the Melbourne Stars.

📺 WATCH #BBL13 on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/bO5P5ypyKo
✍ BLOG https://t.co/9Wdz8TRxcX
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/ehdYxpEuldpic.twitter.com/ABLFx3x6JM

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 7, 2023

With the exception of a rapid blitz from Hilton Cartwright, who clobbered 33 from 16 balls, the rest of the Stars batters toppled like dominoes.

Swepson finished with 3-23 from 3.1 overs, while Brisbane quick Xavier Bartlett, who conceded just eight runs from his three-over spell, helped clean up the tail with two late scalps.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in our lineup this year, it looks very good, very balanced,” Khawaja continued.

“I’m really excited for what’s coming.”

The Heat will next face the Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7.15pm AEDT.

Originally published as Brisbane Heat opener Colin Munro left stranded as Melbourne Stars suffer humiliating defeat in BBL opener