WATCH: Marcus Stoinis heaves sigh of relief after taking crucial catch to dismiss dangerous Caleb Jewell during BBL 2024 game

The Melbourne Stars entered the playoff stages of Big Bash League 2024 with a huge win over the Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday. It was a complete turnaround from the Stars side, who at one stage were rooted bottom of the table. Skipper Marcus Stoinis showed great athletic skills to take a fine running catch to get rid of Caleb Jewell. 

The incident occurred in the third ball of the second over with Mark Steketee. At that stage, Hobart had already scored 22 runs from the first eight balls in the inning while chasing 220 runs. Caleb Jewell tried to heave the ball over the mid-on region. Stoinis, though, kept his eyes on the ball and completed a fine catch. As soon as he took the catch, Stoinis was seen spread out on the turf with a huge smile on his face. 

MARCUS STOINIS.

That is a sensational catch at the MCG! #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/Cxu7LOACw9

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 19, 2025

Earlier in the day, hosts the Melbourne Stars were put into bat and ended with 219 runs on the board. Beau Webster scored 51 runs but the star of the day was veteran star Glenn Maxwell. The 36-year-old was not out on 76 off just 32 balls as he hit the Hobart bowlers to all parts of the ground. 

Melbourne Stars earn crucial win to enter playoffs

Coming into the game, the Stars needed to win the game in a bid to make it to the playoff stages. With the win on Sunday, the Marcus Stoinis-led side have 10 points from 10 games and will face Sydney Thunder in their eliminator match. Chasing 220 to win, Hobart lost Jewell early for five runs and soon lost Chalie Wakim for a second-ball duck. 

Ben McDermott was soon out for two to give Steketee his third wicket of the game. The right-arm pacer has already taken a foul in the last game for the Stars side. Mitchell Owen, though, kept going strong as he smashed 38 off 17 balls with three fours and as many sixes. Tom Curran dismissed Owen caught well by Maxwell as the veteran Aussie star let out a huge roar. 

Nikhil Chaudhary and Tim David scored 27 runs each, while Matthew Wade was out for 21. Nathan Ellis was the best batter with 40 off 22 balls before he was the last man out as the Hurricanes were all out for 179 runs to give the Stars' side a huge win by 40 runs.