Stoinis fires for Stars in Moe BBL clash

Stoinis, who has been dropped by Australia in all three formats of the game in the past 12 months, smashed an unbeaten 81 off 54 balls to give national selectors a reminder of his ability.

Opening partner Nic Maddinson (40) also played a key role as Hurricanes quick Riley Meredith (3-27) ensured the dangerous Glenn Maxwell (two) and Peter Handscomb (3) didn't get in on the act.

Stoinis twice survived chances squandered by the Hurricanes in the first four overs.

On the first ball he faced, Stoinis offered a sharp return catch to Clive Rose, who put it down.

Soon after, the big-hitter was on just five when he skied a shot that fell safely between Meredith and Qais Ahmad as they failed to cope with the sun in their eyes.

Stoinis produced seven fours and four sixes to punish the visitors, who were plagued by some sloppy fielding that was punctuated by a pair of superb catches by Simon Milenko and Ahmad.

Rose bowled three consecutive tight overs during the powerplay, giving up just 12 runs in that period.

Most of the Stars' powerplay scoring came off Meredith and Tom Rogers as they moved steadily to 0-43.

Maddinson was clean-bowled by Nathan Ellis on 40 and got halfway off the ground before being called back for a front-foot no-ball.

Fortunately for the Hurricanes, Maddison didn't make them pay.

He was out next over to a flying catch from Simon Milenko off Meredith.'s bowling.

D'Arcy Short and Caleb Jewell will open for the Hurricanes on a pitch that is already showing cracks and is expected to make life difficult for batsmen in the run chase.

The Stars' spin-heavy bowling is without high-profile quicks Dale Steyn and Nathan Coulter-Nile (ankle) for a second successive match.

Steyn completed the warm-up and declared himself fit to play, but competition rules dictated he could not be included after he was left out of the initial 13-man squad yesterday.

Australian Associated Press