Marcus Stoinis Creates New BBL Record, Scores 147* Off 79

On January 12, 2020, Melbourne Stars’ all-rounder Marcus Stoinis played a record knock of not-out 147 runs from 79 balls. This knock against the Sydney Sixers broke all the previous records for the highest individual score in a Big Bash League T20 match. This knock will make him feel a bit better about himself after all the bashing which he had to face since January 4, 2020, because of the homophobic remark he made towards Melbourne Renegades’ Kane Richardson.

Yesterday, Sydney Sixers took on Melbourne Stars at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Sixers won the toss and decided to bowl first. Batting first, Melbourne Stars piled up a huge score of 219/1 in 20 overs.

All thanks to their openers Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright. Together they scored 207 runs for the 1st wicket and created the record for the highest opening partnership in the history of the Big Bash League.

Hilton Cartwright got out in the final over on 59 runs from 40 balls, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes. Marcus Stoinis remained not-out on 147 runs from 79 balls, hitting a whopping 13 fours and 8 sixes. This inning created a new record in the Big Bash League for the highest individual score. The previous record belonged to Hobart Hurricanes’ D’Arcy Short. Short had scored 122* runs from 69 balls in January 2018 against the Brisbane Heat.

Stoinis celebrated doing a Chris Gayle style celebration, raising the bat with the helmet on top of it.

Mood. 💚 pic.twitter.com/nsfPGxW8X2

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 12, 2020

In reply, Sydney Sixers managed only 175/7 in 20 overs and thus the Stars won the match by 44 runs. Ben Dwarshuis was the most expensive bowler for the Sixers as he gave 61 runs in 4 overs with no wicket. However, he tried to make up for his bad bowling by being the highest run-scorer for the Sixers, scoring 42* runs 17 balls in the final overs of the match.

Marcus Stoinis obviously was given the man of the match award.

This knock is very important for Marcus Stoinis not only for his record significance but also for the timing of the knock. On January 4, 2020, he and Kane Richardson had engaged in a verbal spat where Stoinis lost his control and angrily called Richardson a fa**ot. This was seen as a homophobic remark. And thus Stoinis was found guilty of “personal abuse” on January 5 and was fined $7500.

Marcus Stoinis then apologized for the same.

“I got caught in the moment and took it too far,” Stoinis said, as per Foxsports.com.au

“I realized immediately I was in the wrong and I apologized to Kane and to the umpires.

“I did the wrong thing and accept responsibility for my actions. The standards are there for a reason and I accept the penalty.”

Kane Richardson however later said that they both have sorted the issue over a WhatsApp chat. And he also said he sensed that Stoinis deeply regrets the slur. Richardson wished that such things do not happen again from anyone in the future.

(We had) a little WhatsApp the morning after, but not a whole lot of conversation about it,” Richardson said, as per the news.com.au site.

“He realized he made a mistake. I could just tell by his body language during the rest of his innings that night that he knew he made a mistake.

“To be honest, I didn’t need an apology for myself – he didn’t offend me. It’s more what he said that offends so many people.

“It was more just his actions and everyone’s actions going forward to make sure that sort of thing doesn’t happen again.”

Now, this record-breaking knock of Stoinis will surely take away some burden off his mind. After this win, Melbourne Stars are leading the points tally with 16 points on account of 8 wins from 9 matches.

Marcus Stoinis is also the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 478 runs. He is followed by Renegades’ Shaun Marsh who has scored 319 runs so far in the tournament.

“I’ve definitely carried it with me. Maybe even today it was probably why I was nervous,” Stoinis said, as per theguardian.com “It didn’t sit well with my character and who I want to be. He [Richardson] is a good mate. Over the last couple of games I think we’ve played he’s wound me up a few times but it’s no excuse to use words like that.

“[Richardson) was trying to get a reaction out of me and unfortunately I took that bait. I’ve got to give myself some slack, I’m human and can make mistakes as well, and hopefully, other people see that as genuine.”

Marcus Stoinis’ next match will be on January 15, as Melbourne Stars will take on Perth Scorchers at the Optus Stadium, Perth. And Kane Richardson can be seen in action on January 14, as Australia will take on India in the 1st ODI of the three-match series. The match will take place at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

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