Kevin Pietersen and James Faulkner indulge in a banter after huge defeat

Published - 19 Dec 2015, 13:04 IST | Updated - 19 Dec 2015, 13:04 IST

2 Min Read

Kevin Pietersen couldn’t help the Stars on a day where there were many fire crackers around the park. Young gun Alex Ross (65 off 30) and captain Brad Hodge (56 off 41) piled on a combined 115 runs, the biggest fifth-wicket partnership in BBL history, as the Strikers reached 5 for 187 at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

The Stars, who won the toss and elected to bowl on a hot Adelaide night, fell apart towards the end of their innings to post 7 for 158. Hodge led the Strikers in style with his ninth BBL half-century, steadying the innings after openers Craig Simmons (13) and Tim Ludeman (18) were dismissed cheaply.

The Strikers slumped to 4 for 65 after Travis Head (16) was given out in controversial circumstances. Youngster Marcus Stoinis (50 off 42) was the pick of the batsmen for the Stars, hitting the boundary with some classy straight drives.

High-profile batsmen Kevin Pietersen (22 off 17) and Glenn Maxwell (21 off 12) failed to build on promising starts and were both caught in the deep. Strikers spearhead Kane Richardson (3 for 22) and Ben Laughlin (2 for 38) claimed key wickets while English spinner Abdul Rashid (2/27) impressed on debut.

Melbourne Stars are arguably the biggest side in the KFC Big Bash League, in terms of big names, yet they still haven’t reached a single final in the tournament and stayed as second fiddle, thanks to their propensity to do well, but fall before reaching the final.

Two players, who failed to live big were Pietersen and Faulkner, who took to Twitter, to analyse the reason for their loss as they travelled back to Melbourne, where they will face Sydney Thunder, who beat Sixers in their opening game.

.@KP24 "I didn't know planes went to 13"
??? #bigdog
— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) December 19, 2015

10 off 10 last night, Cock?!?! You meant to be the FINISHER?! Be happy we taking you back to Melbourne! https://t.co/pjahc1jT6S
— KP (@KP24) December 19, 2015