Glenn Maxwell’s sublime batting form has continued, striking a brutal 76 off 32 balls as the Melbourne Stars monstered 5-219 in their quest for a place in the Big Bash League finals.
Maxwell whacked six sixes and five fours in his dig at the MCG in a must-win game against the Hobart Hurricanes.
Glenn Maxwell tears into the Hobart Hurricanes attack at the MCG.Credit: Getty Images
Three of his sixes came in successive balls in the penultimate over of the innings off the bowling of Cameron Gannon.
Australian Test all-rounder Beau Webster was also influential for the Stars, bashing 51 off 31 balls, while skipper Marcus Stoinis contributed 32 off 19 balls.
The Hurricanes, who have already qualified to host a final, used seven bowlers, with key man Nathan Ellis taking 1-3 but bowling only one over, leaving Channel Seven commentator Ricky Ponting questioning their tactics and pondering whether the medium-pacer might be carrying an injury.
The Seven team asked Maxwell if he’d ever hit the ball better in his career.
“Probably not, ” he replied.
“I just feel really clear at the crease, I’ve got a really good Idea about what I want to do.
“I’m just looking at the bowler and seeing where I can score runs … I’m just looking at the positive option all the time.”
If the Stars manage to defend their total, it will be their fifth win on the trot, their fortunes changing dramatically since the start of 2025. A win will also book them a place in the BBL finals.
Their resurgence has been led by 36-year-old Maxwell, who has been player of the match in their two most recent matches, and may well receive that honour again on Sunday.
A week ago, he hit a stunning 90 off 52 balls to revive their innings against the Melbourne Renegades. The game before that he contributed 58 from 32 balls against the Sydney Sixers.
