RESULT
1st Semi-Final (N), Hobart, February 14, 2019, Big Bash League
(18.5/20 ov, T:154) 157/4

Stars won by 6 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
4/23
daniel-worrall
Cricinfo's MVP
114.55 ptsImpact List
daniel-worrall
New
MS
Full commentary

Melbourne Stars win by six wickets and are into the BBL final. They will play either the Renegades (at Marvel) or the Sixers (at the SCG). They were very good tonight, the tone was set by Dan Worrall's new-ball burst then they knocked the runs off very sensibly, calmly finished by the stand between Glenn Maxwell and Seb Gotch. Qais Ahmad claimed three wickets but it was enough for Hobart so the table-topping side fall at the semi-finals. The debate will rumble on about whether there should be a second chance in such a long tournament. For now, though, it's all about the Stars who are timing things just right at the end of the competition.

"Just so happy," says Peter Handscomb. "We are a family and having so much fun. We've been hitting form at the right time, credit to Hobart they've had an incredible season. No nervous moments, we had it under control all the way. Not fussed either way [for the final] so we'll take it as it comes."

Simon: "Told you Maxi is more responsible now. Great for the Stars, and Australia!"

Glenn Maxwell "Amazing, as in previous years doesn't matter where you finish in the top four. The way he [Worrall] got the wickets, thought he was really smart the way he stayed ahead of the game. I felt like we were in control, but those two [Bailey and McDermott] played really well. The timing when we got them out was key. I thought the way Marcus and Peter got out of the Powerplay [was very good]. I was throwing up if we should go right-left hand and my gut instinct was to go with Maddinson. His innings was key and changed the momentum, but pressure on the overseas pro. I had a bit of time to get into my innings, the guys around me played their perfectly. Seb Gotch was outstanding, kept the partnership flowing. I'd love to have an all-Melbourne final."

Dan Worrall is Man of the Match "Pretty good night all in all, playing some good cricket at the end of the tournament. Feels good for any player [to be mentioned about the Ashes] but just have to play every game as well as you can. It's a very fun dressing room, never a dull moment."

We'll wrap things up there for tonight, we'll be back for the second semi-final between the Renegades and Sixers tomorrow night. For now, from Gnasher, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.

18.5
6
Faulkner to Gotch, SIX runs

what a way to do it! Slower ball, full outside off, and Gotch drives it inside-out over extra cover

18.4
4
Faulkner to Gotch, FOUR runs

backs away to a short ball and plays this brilliantly, upper cuts over point

18.3
1
Faulkner to Maxwell, 1 run

moves outside leg stump and thumps this one bounce to long-off

18.2
3
Faulkner to Gotch, 3 runs

slower ball, full outside off, drilled to cover who parries it and probably saves the boundary, the return could bring a run out but Wade drops the ball at the stumps. Fast throw from Archer. Maxwell might have been safe anyway

Stuart: "What incentive is there to win the league at the moment? There is no difference whether you win the league or finish second; both prizes are just a home semi final "

18.1
1
Faulkner to Maxwell, 1 run

starts to move to leg then stays conventional, clipped to deep square leg

Can Faulkner produce a four-run over to give Hurricanes a chance?

end of over 184 runs
MS: 142/4CRR: 7.88 RRR: 6.00
Seb Gotch20 (19b 3x4)
Glenn Maxwell41 (31b 4x4)
Clive Rose 1-0-4-0
James Faulkner 3-0-31-0

Rahul: "I feel for Wade for not being selected for the national team, but this is terrible captaincy, isn't it? He had to get a few over away earlier from the fifth bowling options. Or am I missing something here?" He gambled a bit. Felt he needed wickets.

17.6
Rose to Gotch, no run

tries to cut this away, it's quite full, gets beaten

17.5
1
Rose to Maxwell, 1 run

short outside off, cut to deep cover, mix-up in the running but they are safe in the end

17.4
1
Rose to Gotch, 1 run

full, wide outside off, driven in the air but short of cover

17.3
1
Rose to Maxwell, 1 run

worked down the ground to long-on, that's all they need to do

Crowd: 12,404

17.2
Rose to Maxwell, no run

goes for the reverse sweep, full outside off, doesn't connect

17.1
1
Rose to Gotch, 1 run

round the wicket, driven down to long-off

It's late, but here's Clive Rose. George Bailey currently being assessed in the dressing room

end of over 1712 runs
MS: 138/4CRR: 8.11 RRR: 5.33
Glenn Maxwell39 (28b 4x4)
Seb Gotch18 (16b 3x4)
James Faulkner 3-0-31-0
Jofra Archer 4-0-33-1

That over has all-but killed off the match

16.6
4
Faulkner to Maxwell, FOUR runs

short, another slower ball, dragged down the leg side and helped round the corner with a pull

16.5
1
Faulkner to Gotch, 1 run

out of the back of the hand again, goes deep in the crease and works to midwicket

16.4
1
Faulkner to Maxwell, 1 run

back-of-the-hand slower ball, very full, driven to deep cover

16.3
1
Faulkner to Gotch, 1 run

short of a length, angled in at off stump, pushed to the off side

16.2
1
Faulkner to Maxwell, 1 run

back of a length, into the pads, worked to deep square

16.1
4
Faulkner to Maxwell, FOUR runs

round the wicket, short outside off, goes up and over backward point, fully in control. It's running away from Hobart

Faulkner back

end of over 169 runs
MS: 126/4CRR: 7.87 RRR: 7.00
Glenn Maxwell29 (24b 2x4)
Seb Gotch16 (14b 3x4)
Jofra Archer 4-0-33-1
D'Arcy Short 2-0-18-0
15.6
1
Archer to Maxwell, 1 run

full and straight, clipped off the toes to deep midwicket

15.5
4
Archer to Maxwell, FOUR runs

a short delivery at the body, slower delivery, superbly pulled away, splits the gap between deep midwicket and deep square

Sooryanarayanan: "Really pains to see an ever-smiling bloke like George Bailey showing pain on his face. Great commitment from him in that fielding effort. Hope he'll be OK."

15.4
1
Archer to Gotch, 1 run

short of a length outside off, angled to deep point

Win Probability
MS 100%
HHMS
100%50%100%HH InningsMS Innings

Over 19 • MS 157/4

Stars won by 6 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
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Big Bash League

TEAMMWLPTNRR
HH14104200.603
MR1486160.173
SS1486160.047
MS147714-0.062
BH1467130.249
ST1467130.000
AS146812-0.473
PS144108-0.502