Kevin Pietersen and former Hampshire all-rounder Glenn Maxwell shared in a third-wicket stand of 120 as Melbourne Stars did the double over Big Bash League rivals Melbourne Renegades courtesy of a dramatic three-wicket victory.
After Sussex’s Luke Wright and Cameron White fell cheaply, Pietersen made a run-a-ball 49 and Maxwell blazed 67 off just 44 deliveries to steer the Stars, in pursuit of 154, on course for their third consecutive win.
But the former’s exit with just 10 runs required started a dramatic sequence of events that almost saw the Renegades secure a tie and take the game into a super over.
England international Ben Stokes removed Pietersen and James Faulkner in successive balls at the start of the penultimate over, leaving the Stars needing six from as many deliveries.
Alex Keath and Durham all-rounder John Hastings were both run out by ex-Hampshire overseas player Nathan Rimmington, who then couldn’t collect the ball and broke the bails with his shoulder as the Stars scampered through for the winning run.
Earlier, Stokes failed to replicate his heroics from his debut with the bat, becoming one of Faulkner’s three victims for just 14.
Matthew Wade’s 49-ball 71 lifted the Renegades to 153 for six as Hastings and Hampshire’s new signing Jackson Bird snared a scalp each.