New Delhi: Australia’s Big Bash League, season 13, has finally entered the second half of its league stage competition and the fog from the front of the top 4 teams has started to wear off after every passing game.
At the moment, Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers are the four likely teams who will square off in the playoffs for the ultimate silverware.
While Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes still have time to make a comeback, time has started to run out for the Sydney Thunders and Melbourne Renegades.
The match number 23 of the season was played on Tuesday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between Melbourne Stars and Renegades, where the Stars extended their win streak to four matches, as the Renegades are now looking eye-to-eye with the eliminations.
Happy Stars skipper 🌟
Four in a row for the @StarsBBL! @Gmaxi_32 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/bgiIxAL5Rq
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2024
Earlier, the start of the match was delayed due to rain, and by the time the game resumed, the match was cut short to 14 overs a side game.
Melbourne Starts skipper Glenn Maxwell won the toss and invited the Renegades to bat first.
The Renegades had a great start in the innings, as their openers, Quinton de Kock (23) and Jordan Cox (9), added 33 runs for the first wicket in just 17 balls, but as soon as the Renegades lost their first wicket, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and were only able to put up a total of 97 for 7 in 14 overs.
Quinton de Kock that is HUGE! 😮 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/cNU1YTeJVP
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2024
Daniel Lawrence was the most successful bowler for the Stars with an extraordinary spell of two overs, two for eight.
Spin is king at the ‘G! 🌀
Lawrence takes his second! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/gA055R4P4T
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2024
In reply, Stars lost their first wicket in the form of Daniel Lawrence (7) early, but Thomas Rogers (46*), first with Beau Webster (14), and then with skipper Glenn Maxwell (32*), stitched two great partnerships and took the Stars over the line with eight wickets and 11 balls to spare.
It’s a Maxi masterclass at the ‘G! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/NjYf75uXRP
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2024
Tom Rogers and Peter Siddle took one wicket each for the Renegades.
What a catch from Sutherland! 👐
Stars lose their second! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/RzumI388cp
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2024
With this loss, the Renegades have slipped to the number eight spot and are just one loss away from getting eliminated.
Check out the complete points table below:
Rogers closes it out for the Stars! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/2b3aRzJuW1
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 2, 2024
| S.no | Teams | M | W | L | NR | PTS | NRR |
| 1 | Brisbane Heat | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | +1.94 |
| 2 | Sydney Sixers | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | +0.16 |
| 3 | Melbourne Stars | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -0.90 |
| 4 | Perth Scorchers | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | +1.70 |
| 5 | Hobart Hurricanes | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -0.45 |
| 6 | Adelaide Strikers | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | -0.27 |
| 7 | Sydney Thunder | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | -0.42 |
| 8 | Melbourne Renegades | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | -0.51 |
