Melbourne Stars 171 for 5 (Duckett 67, Stoinis 48, Sandhu 3-29) beat Melbourne Renegades 168 for 7 (Bethell 49, Wells 45, Paris 2-23) by five wickets
Chasing 169, Stars were in trouble at 41 for 3 before Duckett and Stoinis combined for an 83-run partnership. They appeared to be cruising needing 57 runs off 42 but lost Duckett and Stoinis quickly as Stars’ nerves set in.
It came down to the final over with Stars needing ten runs and well positioned with Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell at the crease. But quick Tom Rogers executed two superb yorkers to start the over and suddenly Stars required eight off the final four balls.
But Cartwright launched a massive six into the second tier over long on before swatting another boundary on the next delivery to ensure Stars kept their finals hopes alive with a second straight victory.
Stars moved to a 17-10 overall record against a slumping Renegades (2-4) in the first match played on the ground since the Boxing Day Test.
Duckett, Stoinis combine before Cartwright’s heroics
Duckett has been feast or famine during this BBL season. Two half-centuries were countered by two ducks and it was a relief when he got off the mark. The pressure was on Duckett who had been involved in a horrible mix-up that saw Sam Harper run-out following the early wicket of Thomas Rogers.
He started to get on a roll towards the end of the powerplay as he pounced on short-pitched bowling and also executed the ramp shot several times to perfection.
Duckett found a willing partner in Stoinis, who attacked legspinner Adam Zampa in the middle overs with several muscular blows that rattled the boundaries.
They appeared to be doing it easily until the late twist. But Cartwright and Maxwell combined for four sixes to ice a hard earned victory.
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Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
Source: ESPN Crickinfo