Kevin Pietersen powered home the Melbourne Stars to a fairly easy eight-wicket victory over their city rivals, Melbourne Renegades at the Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. Pietersen's 94-run partnership with Peter Handscomb saw the Stars reach the target with two overs to spare after Luke Wright's initial onslaught.
The Stars won the toss and elected to field first and this proved out to be the right move as Renegades’ opener, Tom Cooper fell in just the second over. Chris Gayle and captain, Cameron White were involved in a 53-run partnership, but Stars’ all-rounder Marcus Stoinis dismissed both the settled batsmen in consecutive deliveries.
Australian wicketkeeper, Peter Nevill got out in the most bizarre fashion as Bravo's shot back down the ground hit non-striker Nevill's bat and then deflected off bowler, Adam Zampa's nose and crashed into the stumps as Nevill was way out of the crease.
When the Renegades were 78/5 in 12.5 overs, it seemed like they would be bowled out soon. However, a 66-run partnership between Dwayne Bravo and Tom Beaton helped the Renegades gain a respectable total of 155/6 in 20 overs. Bravo top-scored for the Renegades with an unbeaten 37-ball 59.
In reply, the Stars got off to a great start as openers, Wright and Stoinis scored 33 in just 3.2 overs before Stoinis was out bowled to a slower delivery from Bravo. Pietersen then played the anchor role as Wright continued to play shots before he was dismissed by Cameron Stevenson.
Handscomb and Pietersen then carried their team to a comfortable victory as the English batsman scored a brilliant 67 off just 43 balls that included five fours and three sixes. Stars’ wicketkeeper, Handscomb hung in till the end with Pietersen and scored 39 off 30 balls.
Stoinis was named the man of the match for his excellent bowling performance. In his two overs, the 26-year-old Australian all-rounder picked three important wickets giving away just 13 runs.
After six rounds of matches, the Stars are third in BBL table, only behind the Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers. The Renegades remain in the sixth position.
Brief Scores: Melbourne Stars (toss) 156/2, 18 overs (Pietersen 67*, Handscomb 39*; Stevenson 1/28) beat Melbourne Renegades 155/6, 20 overs (Bravo 59*, Beaton 29; Stoinis 3/11, Hilfenhaus 1/20) by eight wickets.
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