Lynn and McCullum combine to crush Stars
MACQUARIE’S SUMMER OF CRICKET LINE-UP TONIGHT: Tony Leonard, Dean Jones and Daniel Harford
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Joe Burns wants to be a part of it but when quizzed by our man Daniel Harford tonight, Heat captain Brendon McCullum wouldn’t reveal what it takes to join the Bash Brothers.
Click PLAY below for the full Bash Brothers chat with Baz
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HEAT WIN WITH EASE
Brendon McCullum’s 61 headlined a comfortably Brisbane Heat performance, easily chasing down the 142 target with over five overs to spare.
In front of 36,834 fans at the MCG, fellow Bash Brother Chris Lynn was also superb, finishing on 63 not out.
Melbourne Stars captain John Hastings dropped Chris Lynn early in the innings and never looked likely from that point.
It only gets tougher for the men in green from here, facing off in a crunch Melbourne Derby against the Renegades on Saturday night.
On the flipside, Brisbane Heat now prepare for a blockbuster against top-of-the-table Perth Scorchers at the Gabba on Friday.
Click PLAY for all the highlights from the Heat’s chase
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📷 | John Hastings dropped Chris Lynn earlier. Could it prove costly for the Stars? #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/JBfpgmCqCY
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 2, 2018
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INNINGS BREAK
Melbourne Stars recovered after a slow start, ending their 20 overs at 7-141.
The Heat’s spinners caused havoc all innings, especially during the first 10 overs. Mitch Swepson (3-14) and Yasir Shah (1-16) both looked sharp as they applied pressure on the home team.
In better news for the Stars, Kevin Pieterson responded to early-season criticism by making 30 off 25 before finding Ben Doggett at long on.
Glenn Maxwell brought up his fifth before being dismissed just one ball after reaching his half-century.
Can the Stars end their winless streak or will the Heat make it three from five?
Click PLAY below for all the highlights from the Stars innings
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Brisbane Heat coach Daniel Vettori confirmed to Macquarie Cricket that Chris Lynn’s is less than 90 per cent fit and battling multiple injuries.
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TOSS
Brisbane Heat win the toss and elect to bowl.
Click HERE for all the team news
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RECAP
It was a huge day in the BBL yesterday – make sure you catch up on all the latest stories ahead of tonight’s encounter:
- Short-inspired Hurricanes beat the Thunder in Sydney
- Scorchers remain unbeaten as Klinger stars again
- Ian Chappell isn’t happy with Matthew Wade
- Sam Billings turned down trial with Tottenham, says Dean Jones
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PREVIEW
BBL action returns to the MCG for the first time this season as the winless Melbourne Stars prepare to face Brisbane Heat.
Both these teams met just six days ago, with the Heat winning by 15 runs at the Gabba. On that occasion, Joe Burns (50) and Brendon McCullum (40) were dominant on the way to victory. In a losing effort, Stars batsman Marcus Stoinis made 99 before being painfully run out.
This isn’t the first time Melbourne Stars have started the season slowly and due to one of the many quirks of the fixture, tonight they play just their third match this season. Meanwhile, Brisbane Heat sit fifth on the table after splitting their opening four matches of the competition.
They’ll be plenty of explosive batting on show tonight in Melbourne with Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum and Joe Burns on one side while Kevin Pieterson, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will all play for the home team.
In what is a crucial game for both teams, the outcome of tonight’s match could plunge the Stars further into crisis or get their season back on track. As for the Heat, they’ll be looking to get a foothold in BBL|07 as Chris Lynn continues to regain full fitness.
Join us from 7.00pm AEDT on 3AW in Melbourne, 4BC in Brisbane, NTS Digital around Australia or through the Cricket Australia website and app as Tony Leonard and Dean Jones bring you every ball from the MCG.