Melbourne Stars BBL nightmare fall from grace is ‘just disastrous’
The Melbourne Stars used to be one of the powerhouses of the Big Bash but the club has fallen to fresh depths this season.
The Melbourne Stars’ horrific start to the 2023-24 Big Bash season has continued after the side were demolished by the reigning champion Perth Scorchers at the MCG on Wednesday night.
The Stars were embarrassed by the Scorchers, bowled out for 101 in 19th over after another deplorable batting display.
It could have been even worse with the final wicket partnership between Liam Dawson and Haris Rauf putting on 21, the second best partnership of the innings.
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However the lacklustre total was still the side’s third lowest of all-time and a sign of just how far the Stars have fallen.
Scorchers new ball pairing Jason Behrendorff (3/28 off four overs) and Jhye Richardson (2/20 off four overs) as well as spinner Hamish McKenzie (2/12 off four overs) ran riot as they made the most of the assistance offered by a pitch which lay under covers until the early evening due to sporadic storms.
Despite taking three wickets, the Stars were never really in the game as the Scorchers romped home to a seven wicket win with 37 balls still remaining.
After missing the finals just once in the first nine seasons of the Big Bash and three-time runners up, the Stars have crumbled in recent seasons.
Seventh in 2020-21, sixth in 2021-22 and wooden spooners for the second time in their history in 2022-23, the Stars are already facing a nightmare in 2023-24.
The Stars are already sitting last on the ladder, despite playing just one match after they were bowled out for 111, then the club’s fourth lowest of all-time, in the opening match of the season, suffering a 103-run trouncing at the hands of the Brisbane Heat.
Then World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell, whose hot form saw him claim the fastest ODI World Cup hundred and Australia’s first ODI double hundred in the recent tournament, injured his forearm in the opening match to be ruled out of the Scorchers clash.
Commentator Anthony Hudson said it was “just disastrous” as the Stars crumbled with the bat.
“It's a big worry for the Big Bash and Cricket Australia really, because the Melbourne Stars are a big franchise, play at the MCG, haven’t won a title in their time and have just made a disastrous start to their season,” Hudson said.
Former Aussie quick Brett Lee said it was surprising because the Stars have always had a good roster and even without Maxwell, the Stars have a strong side.
But Brad Haddin added: “For me tonight, it’s been their decision making and their reading of conditions.”
He added they should have been targeting 150 rather 180 after weather in Melbourne meant the pitch had been under covers for several days.
The Stars could only claim three wins from 14 games last season and they have now lost nine of their last ten matches including their current six game losing streak.
Across the opening two games of this season and the entirety of last season’s campaign, they have been bowled out for 122 or less on five occasions.
The good thing for the Stars is that they have 10 days off as the BBL takes a hiatus until next Tuesday during the first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth.
With Dane Heverin, NCA Newswire
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