Under pressure Marcus Stoinis played out a riveting innings of 55* to guide Melbourne Stars to their biggest-ever chase in Big Bash League history. Stoinis’ fifty came in just 19 balls as the Stars scaled a massive target of 206 runs against Adelaide Strikers, who were playing in front of the biggest-ever crowd in the season.

Stoinis came into the match after scoring 2,13,9,6 and 0 in the 5 matches that he has played in the BBL so far, but managed to light up the crowd on New Year’s Eve with a sensational half-century – the second fastest by a Stars batter in the BBL. After coming out to bat in the 14th over, Stoinis took matters into his own hands and smashed 4 sixes and 6 boundaries to take his team over the line. Stoinis also hit the winning six in the final ball off the 19th over to win the game for Stars with 7 wickets and 6 balls in hand.

It was good fun, the boys set it up though for me to come out and put a few swings on it. They played really well. It was about time I put a swing on it. I did a bit of work with the coach,” Stoinis said after the match.

Chasing 206, Stars were put in a great position by Daniel Lawrence (50 off 26), Beau Webster (66* off 48) and Glenn Maxwell (28 off 17). Stoinis came out after Maxwell’s wicket and swung at everything, connecting 14 shots for either a four or a six off the total 19 balls that he played.

“My thought hadn’t changed after that partnership between Maxi and Beau, they put us in a position where I could come in and express myself. Otherwise, I would have looked to dig deeper and take my time. Once you hit a few in the middle, the body seems to organise itself. It’s lovely here, beautiful crowd, 44,000 people, great way ro spend New Year’s Eve. Couldn’t have more fun,” concluded the all-rounder.

Earlier in the innings, a Chris Lynn special took Adelaide to 205/4 in 20 overs. Lynn hit 10 boundaries and 4 sixes and was supported by Matthew Short’s 56 off 32 balls. The commentators thought at the time that it was easily a 200+ wicket but no one could see the Stoinis innings coming.

Stoinis was named the player of the match for his innings. After their win, Stars are in the fourth spot in the league table.