Every team now has a win, but for Stars, ambitions need to be heavily tempered. For Heat, it's the third loss in a row. Both teams have issues with their batting. They'll try sorting things out, you can find out whether they do by following the BBL here on Cricinfo. Thanks for joining. Goodnigt.

Marcus Stoinis, Stars captain and POTM: Big relief, nice way to start the year. We've wanted to show the same character despite the results, we did that. Lawrence batted brilliantly, we tried to keep each other calm. It was an important win. I've been partly disappointed with my own performances, get more than starts, that's the blueprint for us. We're going back to the MCG and can make it our fortress, got some rest too.

9:38pm: Comfortable win in the end. Stoinis' 62 and Lawrence's 64* ensured that the wobble that Stars experienced early on wasn't decisive in the game. Johnson and Bartlett were good for Heat but not much well went for them. There was a bit of dew as well, which McSweeney reported in the chase, That might've played a part too. The differentiator, in the end, was that Stars got a big partnership. Heat couldn't. Also, Stars won the toss.

18.1
4
Prestwidge to Lawrence, FOUR, Full toss has been wristily whipped behind square and Stars are off the mark in BBL 2024

END OF OVER:
18 | 3 Runs 2 Wkts | MS: 149/5 (1 run required from 12 balls, RR: 8.27, RRR: 0.50)

  • Hilton Cartwright1 (3b)
  • Dan Lawrence60 (37b)
  • Xavier Bartlett4-0-10-4
  • Spencer Johnson4-0-28-1
17.6
0
Bartlett to Cartwright, no run, Cartwright tries to whack it across, misses. Power Surge must now be taken. The ball was around a back of length, just down leg; the batter wanted a bit more room than he had to lift a pull square of the wicket

All fielders now run in

17.5
1
Bartlett to Lawrence, 1 run, Length on off, worked off the back foot to deep fine leg. Fielder hurries in a throw, but the batters don't risk trying a second
17.4
1
Bartlett to Cartwright, 1 run, Pitched up on the pads, pushed through midwicket. Edge of the ring to bring it to two needed off the last ball
17.3
0
Bartlett to Cartwright, no run, Appeal for caught behind but that seemed to have come off the grille. Was a bumper angled in, Cartwright swivelled on the pull, wanted to go square or behind
17.3
1w
Bartlett to Cartwright, 1 wide, Full down leg, the full ball goes past the flick

Hat-trick ball. Five-for on Bartlett. Slip in

17.2
W
Bartlett to Maxwell, OUT, Heaved... excellent catch by Renshaw. He moved to the right from midwicket, flung himself close to the ground. Took it with both hands while hovering. Was a shortish ball around off that was pulled after making toom

GJ Maxwell c Renshaw b Bartlett 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

17.1
W
Bartlett to Stoinis, OUT, Top edges a slashed cut straight to deep third. On a length, wide and he went as hard as he could. Stoinis can't clear the game but has effectively done it

MP Stoinis c Johnson b Bartlett 62 (62m 48b 10x4 0x6) SR: 129.16

END OF OVER:
17 | 12 Runs | MS: 146/3 (4 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.58, RRR: 1.33)

  • Dan Lawrence59 (36b)
  • Marcus Stoinis62 (47b)
  • Spencer Johnson4-0-28-1
  • Matthew Kuhnemann3-0-33-0
16.6
4
Johnson to Lawrence, FOUR, Chipped over the bowler with a delightful flat-bat punch. He was charging too and cut the angle plus pace with ease. Mid-on and mid-off, whom it went over, were in
16.5
1
Johnson to Stoinis, 1 run, Slottesque but Stoinis goes too hard while trying to hit it across the line. Gets a single for his trouble
16.5
1w
Johnson to Stoinis, 1 wide, Bumper is over leg. Very high too. Let go
16.4
1
Johnson to Lawrence, 1 run, Should be out... placement works out for Lawrence. A touch short and he tried to swipe it across the line. A pull off the top edge took it far enough behind that the keeper wasn't in contentio
16.3
4
Johnson to Lawrence, FOUR, Makes room and flays the full ball over cover. It wasn't middled by any means but the outfield gave the ball extra speed to make it through easily
16.2
0
Johnson to Lawrence, no run, Shortish over off, 138ks, Lawrence cleared the front foot and went hard. Only got a bottom edge to long-on. No-ball check. All good

Stars 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st0BM DuckettTF Rogers
2nd14SB HarperTF Rogers
3rd0DW LawrenceTF Rogers
4th132MP StoinisDW Lawrence
5th0GJ MaxwellDW Lawrence
6th7HWR CartwrightDW Lawrence