Marcus Stoinis in fiery clash with England star in BBL

Marcus Stoinis and Tom Curran were involved in a heated exchange during the Melbourne Stars’ dramatic win over Sydney Sixers in the final game of the BBL regular season.

Sent in to bat by Sixers captain Moises Henriques, the hosts would have been in serious trouble early if not for a pair of inexplicable fielding blunders by Curran in the first over.

The England international had two opportunities to catch Stoinis at mid on but, both times, misread the flight of the ball and failed to launch.

Stoinis went on to make 34 before Curran finally got his man, the England star delivering some choice words after having Stoinis caught behind.

But Stoinis didn’t take kindly to the send-off, yelling back at his counterpart as he made his way off.

“Catch you in the World Cup,” Adam Gilchrist suggested Stoinis was saying.

Maxwell heroics lift Stars into BBL finals

Glenn Maxwell delivered a stunning batting performance to propel the Stars into the BBL finals and deny the Sixers a home semi-final.

Maxwell’s stunning knock of 82 off 43 balls in Sunday afternoon’s do-or-die regular season finale at the MCG paved the way for a dominant 94-run win.

Set a target of 169, the hapless Sixers were skittled for just 74 as Nepalese legspinner Sandeep Lamicchane snared 3-11.

The win lifts the Stars above Brisbane Heat to a fourth-placed finish and a semi-final against minor premiers Hobart Hurricanes.

It also takes Melbourne Renegades above the Sixers to second on the ladder, meaning they will host the second semi-final against the Sixers.

The Sixers had needed to score at least 107 to keep their net run rate above that of the Renegades but weren’t up to the task.

Maxwell was contained early but, remarkably, scored his final 65 runs off just 23 balls, including three sixes in the final over from Ben Dwarshuis.

His spectacular knock came to an end off the final ball of the innings when he was caught at mid off, again attempting to clear the boundary rope.

Incredibly, the Stars were 4-101 at the 16-over mark before Maxwell turned the match on its head.

Just three Sixers batsmen managed to reach double figures with Daniel Hughes’ 12 the top score.

BBL FINALS SCHEDULE

* THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14

First semi-final, Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars at Blundstone Arena, 1900

* FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15

Second semi-final, Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers at Marvel Stadium, 1930

* SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17

Final, Hurricanes or Stars v Renegades or Sixers at venue TBC, 1445

with AAP