Stars vs Hurricanes, 56th Match at Melbourne, BBL, Jan 19 2022 - Match Result

11.07 pm Disappointing for the Stars to not make the playoffs. The Renegades will be getting extra post-Christmas gifts in the mail from all five playoff qualifiers after disintegrating in their chase last night against the Hurricanes to KO the Stars from playoff contention. In spite of falling short of the playoffs, the Stars have given their fans something to smile about on the final night of the regular season, primarily from their captain Glenn Maxwell and his BBL record-setting 154 not out off 64 balls.

Stars allrounder Marcus Stoinis: "Not seen an innings like Maxwell's except maybe once when I watched my own highlights (laughing). Naw, that's super special. He was calm in the middle too so I think he's found something. I just told him to make the most of this, score as many as you can, take it in, take the crowd in. It's been a tough season. It was nice just to compliment Maxi. It's pretty frustrating and almost hurts more after playing so well at the end of the season, really probably showing ourselves and everyone else what we're capable of. But that's part of this competition. We understand the environment we're in. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come for next year and now we know we don't have to tinker too much. I'm looking forward to being out of the bubble. I haven't had a beer for awhile so I might go have a beer somewhere."

Hurricanes wk Ben McDermott, who has just been named BBL 11 MVP on the 3-2-1 voting system: "Very privileged to win that. That was a pretty special knock by Maxi tonight. It was disappointing, had surgery just coming into the tournament. I have a knack of getting injured in weird ways. So missing the first two games and then bounce back sooner than expected was really nice and very proud of the way I came back from surgery. It's been a nice tournament and hopefully we still have some more to come. We're pleased to be into the finals and coming back on Friday [for a playoff v Strikers]. I just try to keep it basic, not look into the bowlers too much."

Stars captain Glenn Maxwell: "It was certainly a lot of fun. It helps you can play with ultimate freedom knowing the season is done for your team so you can pin your ears back and have a real crack. We got away with a few early on getting spin bowled to us in the first few overs, cashed in to get ahead of the game. It was just nice to come off. [Joe Clarke] has really stood up. To come back from a slow start to this tournament, I think he had three ducks in his first four innings, then come back and score five fifties in six innings to end the tournament. He was a tough loss when we lost him to Covid, him and a lot of other players, 13 of them, he's been a leader for us. To see the way he's developed through this tournament and stand up on the world stage has been a pleasure to watch. Tonight I was just really clear and wasn't thinking too far ahead. Was just trying to hit the ball. Have a quick look around the field, know the gaps and try to adjust to it as well as you can. They tried a couple of funky fields but I had options if they missed their areas. I wasn't trying to think too far ahead, was just about trying to entertain this crowd and these fans who have been so loyal to us this year. I was pretty tired. I was glad Stoinis came in and started clearing the ropes. It gave me time to chill out at the other end. To play a selfless brand of cricket and take on the bowling right away, it was just brilliant. He's so powerful, I don't think he even hit the middle of the bat for any of his sixes."

That's it from us for the regular season coverage of the BBL. Take a breather tomorrow before coming back for the first playoff encounter between Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers. Until then, I'm Peter Della Penna. Take care!

Last ball of the regular season coming up...

Ash: "Congrats Hurricanes chasing down Maxwell with an over to spare".