The Brisbane Heat have weathered a Marcus Stoinis storm to prevail in their Big Bash League opener against the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.
Brendon McCullum playing for the Brisbane Heat in the Australian Big Bash League. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz
Chasing 207, the Stars were in all sorts at 3-38 before Stoinis (99 from 51) arrived and gave the visitors a sniff before falling 15 runs short.
Stoinis was run-out going for his 100th run in the final over, in which the Stars needed 24 to win.
He and James Faulkner (47 not out from 38) shared in a 137-run partnership that hushed the 27,433 in attendance, who had cheered their side beyond 200 despite the absence of batting sensation Chris Lynn.
Earlier, the Heat showed they were no one-man team, with Joe Burns (50 from 27) and Alex Ross (51 from 36) ensuring the runs flowed in the middle overs after Brendon McCullum's fast start and Ben Cutting's powerful closing knock.
"My role throughout the tournament will change depending on the situation and that's the way we want to play, as a top six, seven batting group, trying to make as many runs as possible," Burns said of the team's shared effort.
The Stars used eight bowlers, with off-spinner Michael Beer (2-21 from four) and Stoinis (3-38 from four) the most effective.
McCullum (40 from 22) did the damage early, taking to Scott Boland in a third over that netted 24 runs.
Cutting then took over, muscling a quickfire 34 from 18 deliveries to push the Heat beyond 200.
Sharp catches from Mitch Swepson and McCullum to dismiss Ben Dunk (0) and Kevin Pietersen (10) put the Heat in control.
And when Glenn Maxwell (8) hit a Shadab Khan (2-41 from four) long-hop to deep mid-on the Stars were 3-38.
A 22-run Ben Cutting over gave the Stars hope, but Mark Steketee held his nerve in the final over to see the Stars finish 6-191.
Stoinis dedicated the innings to his late father, who passed away after battling blood cancer last month.
"I just miss him and it's weird, it was the only thing I was thinking when I was out there and I'm sure he's watching somewhere," Stoinis said.
"But it's a good start; I've been saying in the media a bit that I'm ready to go and feeling really good so it's good to just do it."
The Heat were struck a blow before the toss, with a minor hamstring strain denying Lynn his return from shoulder surgery.
Lynn is unlikely to play in the Heat's clash with Melbourne Renegades on Saturday, with a return at the Gabba against the Sydney Thunder next Wednesday the more likely scenario.
-AAP
