Umpiring controversy can’t stop Stars, Stoinis in win over Hurricanes

More controversial umpiring decisions in the BBL have not stopped the Melbourne Stars snapping a three-game losing streak and beating the Hobart Hurricanes on Monday night.

Stars opener Andre Fletcher, who has endured a tough BBL campaign with the bat, was given out caught behind in the first over, even though the Hurricanes wicketkeeper said he didn't think the batsman had hit it and did not appeal.

The Stars’ Andre Fletcher leaves the field after being dismissed at Blundstone Arena on Monday.Credit:Getty Images

Then, in the Hurricanes innings, Stars spinner Adam Zampa seemingly hit Ben McDermott on the pads directly in front of the stumps but the umpire gave him not out.

McDermott went on to make 91 off 58 balls, and as the wicketkeeper who took Fletcher's dismissal, he later said on the broadcast "I didn't think he nicked it".

McDermott had threatened to run down the Stars' imposing total of 6-183 but two brilliant catches to Fletcher turned the tide as the Hurricanes finished at 6-173.

Fletcher caught Colin Ingram for 17 in the deep and then took a diving catch at high speed, also in the deep, to dismiss the dangerous McDermott.

Earlier, Marcus Stoinis needed 21 runs off Scott Boland's final over to reach a century and he got close, finishing on 97.

He hit four fours and chose not to run off the second ball with new batsman Zampa at the other end.

The opener needed a six off the last ball to reach 100 but a tight Boland yorker kept him to just two runs.

He was ably supported by Nicholas Pooran, who made 26 off 21 balls, including three fours and a six, before chopping on to Nathan Ellis.

But Stoinis found another ally in Hilton Cartwright, who whacked three sixes to get to 36 off 24 balls, although he too chopped on to Ellis.

Marcus Stoinis belts a six on the way to an unbeaten 97 for the Stars on Monday.Credit:Getty Images

The Stars' other main weapon Glenn Maxwell fell for six. So often a show-stopper, his trademark reverse sweep was on this night his downfall.

Maxwell attempted one off spinner Sandeep Lamichhane but the ball was too straight, and he missed to be out LBW.

The Hurricanes were 2-99 from 14 overs, needing almost 90 runs off nearly the final six overs. But the equation became 40 runs from the final three overs and then 21 from the final over.

Peter Handscomb hit a six off the second ball to reduce that to 14 off four balls but he was run out stretching for an extra run off the fourth ball.

McDermott batted brilliantly for the Hurricanes and gave them a fighting chance of getting the win.

He whacked eight fours and five sixes while for the Stars the bowling effort of Sam Rainbird was strong (2-22), while the return of Zampa was important.

Zampa had missed the last game due to being suspended for swearing and came into the side for the injured Nic Maddinson.

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