Hobart Hurricanes 187 for 8 (Wade 63, McDermott 50, Lawrence 4-35, Coulter-Nile 2-18, Imad 2-35) beat Melbourne Stars 180 for 4 (Webster 55*, Stoinis 48, Maxwell 32, Ellis 2-29) by seven runs
Hobart Hurricanes salvaged some pride at the end of another disappointing BBL campaign, holding off Melbourne Stars by seven runs at the MCG.
After smashing 16 from five balls batting at No. 9, Ellis dropped two catches in the first two overs of the Stars chase, appearing to hurt his ribs after putting down one chance when he fell on the ball.
But Ellis (2 for 29) pushed through the pain barrier to continue bowling, dismissing opener Thomas Rogers for 10.
Once perennial BBL title contenders without ever winning the tournament, Stars missed out on the finals for a fourth straight season. Since they lost the 2019-20 final to Sydney Sixers, Stars have finished seventh, sixth, last and fifth.
Hurricanes’ record isn’t much better – they have made the finals just once in the last four seasons.
