Melbourne Stars have guaranteed a top-two finish in the Big Bash regular season by recording a dramatic three-wicket win over Brisbane Heat at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
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The result means that the Stars, who have now won all six of their matches in the competition, will definitely be at home in the semi-finals.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Heat posted a modest total of 144-7, with Dan Christian topscoring with an unbeaten 68 from 49 balls.
Despite losing captain Cameron White for 17 in the sixth over, the Stars got their chase off to a solid start, reaching 48-1 at the end of the powerplay.
However, the game then swung in the Heat's favour. James Hopes dismissed Luke Wright (37), Brad Hodge (1) and David Hussey (16), before Cameron Gannon got rid of Matthew Wade (33), leaving the Stars five down and requiring 33 from 21 balls.
It looked as though the Stars were on the verge of their first defeat in Big Bash Three, but Rob Quiney and Marcus Stoinis powered the league leaders back into control.
Stoinis dispatched Gannon over long-on for a huge six before exiting with a quickfire 11, while Quiney made 22 off 14 before falling to Mark Steketee.
Quiney's dismissal left the Stars with two new batsmen at the crease, needing four runs from the final four balls.
That equation was no trouble for John Hastings, who immediately got off the mark with a two and then sealed a dramatic win with two balls to spare by dispatching a pull shot over cow corner for six.
Robert Summerscales
