Shane Warne: ‘Something’s wrong’ as Melbourne humiliated like never before

Melbourne residents are going to feel left out after both of their cricket teams failed in historic fashion to cap off a dismal summer.

The Stars and Renegades both crashed and burned.

For the first time in its 10-year history, no Melbourne team will compete in the Big Bash League finals.

That humbling reality was confirmed when the Sydney Sixers beat the Stars by five wickets at the MCG on Tuesday night, bringing an end to the green machine’s campaign and condemning the city’s cricket fortunes to a new low.

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The Melbourne Renegades had long been out of contention for a playoff berth after a disastrous season that netted just four wins from 14 matches, leaving them anchored to the bottom of the ladder.

Their cross-city rivals the Stars only went slightly better, winning five games as they finished second-bottom, eight points ahead of the Renegades but four points behind the sixth-placed Hobart Hurricanes.

The Stars are regarded as a BBL powerhouse but have yet to win a title, coming close but falling at the final hurdle three times since the domestic T20 competition kicked off in 2011-12.

They lost deciders in 2016 and 2020, and choked massively to somehow lose the 2019 final to the Gades.

Requiring all four points to sneak into fifth and keep their season alive, the Stars needed to have more runs at the 10-over mark of their innings than the Sixers did at the same point in theirs, in order to claim the Big Bash Boost point.

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The BBL title eludes the Stars for another year.

The Stars collapsed early but recovered to be on 72 after 10 overs, before going on to post 6/177. However, they couldn’t contain the men in magenta and when the Sixers reached 73 after eight overs, the Stars’ campaign was officially over.

At that stage, the Sydneysiders had guaranteed they would leave with at least one point while the maximum the Stars could receive was three — not enough to catapult them into the finals.

In the end, the Sixers claimed all four points after Jordan Silk (35 not out from 25 balls) and Daniel Christian (49 not out from 23 balls) guided the visitors home with one ball to spare.

The Stars boasted plenty of quality players with international experience like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa and Nic Maddinson, but failed to fire often enough. In commentary for Fox Cricket, Aussie legend Shane Warne said they were simply “not good enough”.

“For the team they had, there’s something wrong,” Warne said, adding the side “didn’t get enough” from West Indian import Andre Fletcher, who had a lean season opening the batting, scoring just one half century in 12 innings all tournament.

Better luck next year.

FINALS SCHEDULE

The Eliminator — Brisbane Heat (4th) vs Adelaide Strikers (5th) @ The Gabba, Friday January 29 at 7.15pm AEDT

The Qualifier — Sydney Sixers (1st) vs Perth Scorchers (2nd) @ Manuka Oval, Saturday January 30 at 7.15pm AEDT

The Knock Out — Sydney Thunder (3rd) vs winner of The Eliminator @ Manuka Oval, Sunday January 31 at 7.15pm AEDT

The Challenger — Loser of The Qualifier vs winner of The Knock Out @ TBA, Thursday February 4 at 7.15pm AEDT

The Final — Winner of The Qualifier vs winner of Challenger @ TBA, Saturday February 6 at 7.15pm AEDT

BBL LADDER

1. Sydney Sixers (36 points)

2. Perth Scorchers (32 points)

3. Sydney Thunder (31 points)

4. Brisbane Heat (29 points)

5. Adelaide Strikers (28 points)

6. Hobart Hurricanes (28 points)

7. Melbourne Stars (24 points)

8. Melbourne Renegades (16 points)