All-round Brisbane Heat thrash Melbourne Stars at MCG

Visitors take top spot after registering fifth win of Big Bash League

An all-round performance from Brisbane Heat handed them their fifth win of the tournament as they defeated David Hussey’s Melbourne Stars by seven wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest total of 139 to take the top spot in the table, the visitors were in a spot of bother after being reduced to 65-3 in the ninth over.

However, a 74-run fourth-wicket partnership between Alex Ross and captain Joe Burns sealed the deal for Heat in the 19th over.

Ross finished the innings with a top score of 46 off 40 balls, whereas Burns made 42 off just 32 balls.

Earlier, Hussey won the toss and opted to bat first. However, his decision proved to be a disastrous one as Stars lost opener Rob Quiney and former England star batsman Kevin Pietersen on the first two deliveries of the innings.

Hussey’s men never recovered from the early jolts as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually finished with the score of 138-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Opener Luke Wright was the star for the losing side as he scored a brilliant 60 off 55 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes. He was well supported by Seb Gotch (30) and Hussey (29).

For the visitors, pacer Mark Steketee and leg-spinner Mitchell Swpson picked two wickets each.

Swepson was awarded man of the match for finishing with the figures of 2-18.