10:19pm And off we go again. The par score for 7.3 overs is 51 for 3. For eight overs, it's 55 for 3. The captains and umpires are having a chat. We don't have too much time remaining for get the overs in. So this should be the end...yes it is. Melbourne Stars have won by four runs (DLS method). The captains shake hands. As do the teams. It's been a dicey evening and Stars have done just enough to stay ahead of the par. Experience counts. Stoinis and Handscomb didn't take too many risks as we approached what was the third rain stoppage. Only 18.3 overs possible in the match and in the end Stars ended up in front. Nathan Coulter-Nile is the Man of the Match. His 2 for 14 alongside Steyn's 2 for 12 set this up well for Stars, who are now second place with six points. Thanks for joining us and we'll see you soon!

7.3
0
Meredith to Handscomb, no run, short at off stump, nicely on top of that to defend
7.2
W
Meredith to Stoinis, OUT, he's holed out to long-on! Sort of a length just outside off, looks to club that over midwicket, ends up slicing it and Miller hangs on

MP Stoinis c Miller b Meredith 25 (19b 3x4 0x6) SR: 131.57

7.1
4
Meredith to Stoinis, FOUR, slapped over mid-off. Short of a length just outside off, stands deep in the crease and wallops that flat-batted

END OF OVER:
7 | 9 Runs | MS: 51/2 (30 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 7.28, RRR: 7.50)

  • Marcus Stoinis21 (17b)
  • Peter Handscomb22 (20b)
  • Qais Ahmad2-0-19-0
  • Nathan Ellis1-0-5-0
6.6
1
Qais Ahmad to Stoinis, 1 run, short and wide outside off, punched to sweeper cover
6.6
1w
Qais Ahmad to Stoinis, 1 wide, short and down leg side, taken one-handed by the keeper
6.5
2
Qais Ahmad to Stoinis, 2 runs, full on leg stump, clipped off the toe-end in front of long-on and they risk a second. Direct hit would have had him, but for now they clear the par score for the 7th over
6.4
1
Qais Ahmad to Handscomb, 1 run, full on middle, leans in and nudges into the vacant midwicket region
6.3
2
Qais Ahmad to Handscomb, 2 runs, dropped short outside off, pulled to deep midwicket's right
6.2
1
Qais Ahmad to Stoinis, 1 run, full outside off, mistimed slog out to long-on's right
6.1
1
Qais Ahmad to Handscomb, 1 run, short of a length on off, clipped to deep midwicket off the back foot

Peter: "If you knew the rain was coming, what is to stop you continuing to bowl no balls so the 5th over is never finished and there is a no result?" --- A clean conscience, I suppose. Here is Qais.

END OF OVER:
6 | 5 Runs | MS: 42/2 (39 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 7.00, RRR: 7.80)

  • Peter Handscomb18 (17b)
  • Marcus Stoinis17 (14b)
  • Nathan Ellis1-0-5-0
  • Qais Ahmad1-0-10-0

Just about staying in front of the par score at the moment. A couple of boundaries will help them breathe easy.

5.6
1
Ellis to Handscomb, 1 run, bouncer at leg stump, hooked uppishly down to fine leg

Par score if they're three down at the end of this over is 41.

5.5
1
Ellis to Stoinis, 1 run, short at middle stump, pushed into the leg side with soft hands
5.4
1
Ellis to Handscomb, 1 run, just wide of mid-off. Legcutter, slower ball outside off. Looks to drive on the rise, gets a thick edge to the fielder's right
5.3
1
Ellis to Stoinis, 1 run, slower ball at a length on off stump. Allows that to come on and drops it into the off side with soft hands
5.2
1
Ellis to Handscomb, 1 run, full on off stump, driven to mid-off

Now Stoinis has a chat with Handscomb. Surely the message is not to get out...

5.1
0
Ellis to Handscomb, no run, short of a length just outside off, hurriedly punched to extra cover

END OF OVER:
5 | 10 Runs | MS: 37/2 (44 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 7.40, RRR: 7.33)

  • Marcus Stoinis15 (12b)
  • Peter Handscomb15 (13b)
  • Qais Ahmad1-0-10-0
  • Riley Meredith2-0-17-0

Stars are three ahead of the par score of 34. And now they are in no hurry to take guard. Ellis with the ball. A wicket here would change things if we have rain around the corner...

4.6
0
Qais Ahmad to Stoinis, no run, short and wide and fast outside off. Beaten on the cut

The captain and wicketkeeper, McDermott is trying to run down the clock as we approach the ball that gives us a guaranteed result, asking the umpires if it's time to go off. Crowd doesn't appreciate that...

4.5
1
Qais Ahmad to Handscomb, 1 run, short of a length in the corridor, punched to sweeper cover
4.5
5w
Qais Ahmad to Handscomb, 5 wides, fired down leg side. Attempted short ball, front of the hand and fired down leg. Wanted to follow the batsman, lost control entirely
4.4
1
Qais Ahmad to Stoinis, 1 run, full on leg stump, clipped to deep midwicket
4.3
1
Qais Ahmad to Handscomb, 1 run, full on middle stump, flicked to deep midwicket

A light drizzle is on now. We need to get through this over to have a result.

4.2
1
Qais Ahmad to Stoinis, 1 run, length outside off, punched to sweeper cover with the turn

Stars 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st3MP StoinisNJ Maddinson
2nd0MP StoinisNCR Larkin
3rd52MP StoinisPSP Handscomb
4th0GJ MaxwellPSP Handscomb

Big Bash League

TeamMWLPTNRR
MS14104200.526
SS1494190.269
AS1485170.564
HH146713-0.355
ST146713-0.446
PS146812-0.023
BH146812-0.237
MR143116-0.348