AFTER losing the toss and being sent in to bat the Melbourne Stars lost Rob Quiney (0) and Scott Henry (six) early, but Glenn Maxwell (82 off 50 balls) and Brad Hodge (51 from 33) combined to put on 118 for the third wicket as the hosts looked set for a huge score. In the Australian Big Bash T20 tournament.

But Sixers paceman Brett Lee (2-25) used all his experience at the death to restrict the Stars to 6-177 from their 20 overs, when anything upwards from 190 or 200 could have been possible.
Stephen O’Keefe (42 off 35) and Daniel Smith (32 from 31) scored at a decent enough rate as the Sixers made a solid start to their chase, but they failed to find enough big scoring overs against the slow bowlers or part-timers.
Shane Warne (2-32) and Cameron White (1-24) bowled smartly, but the Sixers never looked like getting Lasith Malinga (1-18) away and fell 22 runs short of their victory target.
Sunil Narine proved himself as one of the best Twenty20 bowlers around when he led all wicket-takers at the most recent IPL tournament, but his first over of the evening against the Stars is one he would rather forget.
Not only did Narine mess up a simple run-out chance, but he also overstepped the mark – remember he is a spinner – and allowed Maxwell a free-hit.
Maxwell didn’t need a second invitation as he smashed Narine over mid-on for a maximum as the West Indian conceded 11 runs for the over and gave all the momentum to the hosts.
The Sixers will rue the fact they missed two easy run-out chances that would have sent Maxwell and Hodge back to the pavilion early in their innings.
Luke Feldman failed to collect the ball when Maxwell was on two and well short of his ground, while in the next over Narine inexplicably only collected fresh air when attempting to whip the bails off as Hodge struggled for safety.
It was 2-34 when Narine made a mess of his attempt to run-out Hodge and it could have been so much different for the Sixers.
Who else but Maxwell?
“We like the way the 24-year-old goes about his cricket and he showed why last night he looks destined for further opportunities in the national setup.
Maxwell is always busy at the crease and can always be seen running the first one hard and attempting to turn the ‘ones’ into ‘twos’.
But it was his power-hitting that hurt the Sixers most as Maxwell smashed his way to an impressive 82 from 50 deliveries that is sure to take the notice of Australian selectors.
Maxwell’s innings included six boundaries and three towering sixes as the Sixers had no answer to his full array of shots.
The Stars managed to hit five big sixes and it was one of Maxwell’s powering blows that stood out to us.
Leggie Jeevan Mendis is no slouch with the ball, but Maxwell showed the Sri Lankan no respect in the ninth over of the Stars’ innings as he smashed a huge maximum straight over his head.
The six was the 99th of the Big Bash thus far and you will fail to find a straighter blow ever hit at the MCG.
It sailed directly over the sightscreen and landed in the back rows of the lower level of the MCC Members stand.
Sydney travel to Adelaide tomorrow to take on the Strikers in what now looms as a must-win encounter for the reigning champions, while the Stars will tackle the same opponent at the same venue four days later on December 27. (CA).