BH vs MS

Marcus Stoinis, the Melbourne Stars' skipper, is also the Player of the Match. Here is what he has to say: "It is big relief. Great to start the new year with win. Something that I have been talking about constantly in the change room is that no matter the result, we should keep coming back with same energies and do the right things. He (Dan Lawrence) batted brilliantly. He kept me calm, I kept him calm. Shows that pertnerships win you matches and the cricketing clichés do hold true. I have been highly disappointed with my own performances. It was time to stand up and take responsibility as a leader and as a senior player. We are now going back to MCG, we have the chance to make it a bit of fortress for us."

9:40 pm local time, 5:10 pm IST: Melbourne Stars beat Brisbane Heat by 5 wickets

Melbourne Stars: 153/5 (18.1 overs)
Marcus Stoinis: 62 (48b) | Xavier Bartlett: 4/10 (4 overs)
Daniel Lawrence: 64*(38b) | Spencer Johnson: 1/28 (4 overs)

A good start to the year for the Melbourne Stars. They register their first win of the season and start the year with a bang. As for the Heat, they will be dejected by the loss and will be looking to fix their issues soon.

Heat were terrific with the ball at the start at they managed to pick up three wickets in the powerplay. Xavier Bartlett managed to get Duckett to nick one behind, to the keeper before he managed to sneak one past the defence of Sam Harper. Then Spencer Johnson joined in on the fun, accounting for Fraser Rogers and ensuring they ended the first four overs on a high.

But then Marcus Stoinis and Dan Lawrence batting in the middle like a pair of childhood friends who cannot be separated. The duo put together 132 runs for the fourth wicket, scoring respective half-centuries and getting the Stars closer to a win. But then they lost two consecutive wickets with Xavier Bartlett striking twice before Dan Lawrence ensured that the writing on the wall came true for him and his men in Green.

Let's now go down to hear what the Player of the Match has to say

18.1 Will Prestwidge to Dan Lawrence, FULL TOSS AND THERE ARE THE WINNING RUNS! Lawrence plants his front foot across and flicks it over backward square leg. Stars notch up their first 'W' of the season. 2025 has started on a good note for them.

Xavier Bartlett has bent his back for the side and has bowled a fine spell but unfortunately, his side will be ending on the wrong side of the result

17.6 Xavier Bartlett to Hilton Cartwright, SWING AND A MISS! The batter shuffled towards the leg side and heaved across the line, only to connect with air. 

17.5 Xavier Bartlett to Dan Lawrence, hard length, off stump line. The batter nudges it towards long leg and scampers down to the other end. Scores level.

17.3 Xavier Bartlett to Hilton Cartwright, APPEAL FOR CAUGHT BEHIND! The whole crowd has joined in. But the umpire is unmoved. Sharp, springy bouncer. It took a bit of the helmet on the way. 

17.2 Xavier Bartlett to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! SCREAMER OF A CATCH! Back of a length, in line with the stumps. Maxwell stood with open stance and swatted it towards the right of mid-on. Renshaw, who was stationed there inside the circle, moved swiftly before putting in a full length dive and completing a spectacular catch.

Glenn Maxwell c Matthew Renshaw b Xavier Bartlett 0 (1b, 0x4, 0x6)

17.1 Xavier Bartlett to Marcus Stoinis, CAUGHT AT DEEP THIRD! Back of a length, outside off. The batter wanted to thump it over backward point, but ended up getting an outside edge. Spencer Johnson, the catcher, did not have to move an inch.

Marcus Stoinis c Spencer Johnson b Xavier Bartlett 62(48b, 10x4, 0x6)

Melbourne Stars are now only one hit away from a win here. The two in the middle have batted along like inseparable brothers and need only 4 runs to win in the next three overs