BBL 10: Spicemen scintillating knock proves enough for Maxwell & Co to climb in Top-4

BBL 10 Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights: 

Brief Score: Melbourne Stars - 179/2 (20) (Fletcher 89* Maxwell 37; Danny Briggs 1/36) beat Adelaide Strikers - ADS 68 All-out (Renwshaw 20, Wells 18, Zampa 5/17, Maxwell 2/12) by 111 runs

MOM - Andre Fletcher

Melbourne Stars thrashed Adelaide Strikers by 111 runs in the 40th BBL 2020-21 played at MCG. In reply to MLR's 179, the Strikers ghastly collapsed and bundled out for a paltry 68, their second-lowest score in BBL history. The Spiceman worked his magic with the bat before Zampa's five-wicket haul sealed a massive win for the Stars. The Strikers batsmen throw their wickets away before the rain came down. With this clinical win, Maxwell-led Stars took a massive leap on the table and reached in top-4. While the Strikers have gone down to the sixth position with -ve NRR. 

Leggy Adam Zampa was the showstoppers for the 'Men in Green' and picked 5 for 17 in a fiery 20-ball spell against the Adelaide Strikers, despite briefly leaving the field after landing awkwardly on his left shoulder. The Windies 'Spicemen' Andre Fletcher has been awarded 'Player of the Match' for his match-defining innings.

Andre Fletcher played a blistering knock upfront and remain unbeaten on 89* off 49, comprising 8 fours and 4 mammoth sixes which helped the Stars to post a stiff 179/2  in their 20 overs. Skipper Glenn Maxwell sets an example by leading Stars from the front. firstly with the bat and then with the ball by picking two key wickets. Cartwright also played a cameo (30 off just 17) down the order. For Strikers, Valente and Briggs took one wicket each.

Fletcher 🤯
Zampa 5⃣fa

An imposing all-round performance from #TeamGreen, keeping @StrikersBBL to the second lowest @BBL score of all-time! 📉

How it went down ⬇️

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 15, 2021

Fletcher said after the post-match, ''It means a lot. I got a call from Brian Lara a few days ago and he gave me advice. I decided to go into the game and apply myself. Thankful to everyone, thankful to god and I would like to dedicate my fifty to my uncle who passed away few days ago.''

''Every day our batting coach, Luke Wright, reminds me how good I am and it was just a matter of striking it right. It is my first time at the MCG and it is good to have a good score here. Looking forward to some more. When I get going I try and not do things that distract me (On his shoe superstition). My laces came off when I reached 40.''

Earlier, Adelaide Strikers have won the toss and have opted to field first. Adelaide Strikers made two X-Factor substitutes in the form of Harry Conway and Harry Nielsen while Sam Rainbird and Ed Newman are for the Stars.