Photo: MelbourneStars/TwitterOur Sher and Melbourne Stars captain Glenn Maxwell smashed 83 off just 45 balls and led his team to a seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Melbourne Renagades in Match 30 of the KFC Big Bash League at the Marvel Stadium in Docklands on Friday.
Chasing 168, the Stars were in a spot of bother after they were reduced to 54-3 in just the seventh over, but skipper Maxwell walked in and turned the game on its head with an incredible display. After Hilton Cartwright dismissal, Maxwell, alongside Nick Larkin, steadied the Stars’ innings and scored at a-run-a-ball for the next three overs. The duo continued to pick up easy singles and put away any loose deliveries, building an assured 55-run partnership by the 15th over.
With 60 required off the last five, Maxwell switched gears. The 31-year-old smashed a six off the first ball of the next two overs, as him and Larkin picked up 28 runs to bring the equation down to 32 off 18. Maxwell made it a hattrick by smashing Richard Gleeson for a huge six off the first ball of the 18th over, before topping it off with the biggest six of the night on the very next delivery to virtually end the Renagades’ hopes of a victory. But the Maxwell show wasn’t finished.
That was truly special @Gmaxi_32 😲 83no from 45, one four and SEVEN sixes! @dream11 | #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/NUEdpuwQOT
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 10, 2020
The skipper smashed Dan Christian over long-off for a six, picked up a double and then finished the game in style with a monstrous six over square leg. For his dazzling display, the all-rounder was named the Man of the Match.
Maxwell’s magical knock isn’t a one-off. The 31-year-old has been in scintillating form in the Big Bash League. His knock of 83 was his second half-century on the trot and third in eight matches, and our Sher only trails his Melbourne Stars teammate Marcus Stoinis in the race for the highest run-scorer this season.
Love it Lynny!!
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) January 2, 2020
I’ll match you on $250 per six I hit in this years BBL. Great cause which is helping so many people around the country who are doing it tough right now. 🙏 https://t.co/hcJea0B6hh
The all-rounder has scored 311 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 172.78 since rejoining Kings XI Punjab and is seemingly back to his best just months before the vivo IPL. Maxwell has also pledged to donate $250 for every six he hits in the Big Bash League to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, a relief fund for those affected by the wildfires in Australia.
