West Indian import Andre Fletcher looked close to tears after smashing a match-winning 89 not out off 49 balls in the Melbourne Stars' 111 run demolition of the Adelaide Strikers.
Returning to the MCG, the Stars looked back at home as they sent a brutal warning to the rest of the BBL but the story of the night was Andre Fletcher’s remarkable comeback.
The ONLY place to watch every match of the 2020/21 KFC BBL Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play is on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
The big hitting West Indian has barely made a mark in the BBL this season with a mix of bad shots and bad luck with only a no look six and a pair of catches breaking through while his batting has been heavily criticised.
But the man is back to his best with a patient 49-ball 89 to nearly double his season tally against the Adelaide Strikers.
He batted the entire innings to finish not out and took his average for the season from 12.37 to 23.50, having buried his previous high score of 18.
But after the innings, you could see how much it meant to him as he buried his face in his helmet before having a bearhug with skipper Glenn Maxwell on the sideline.
On Seven, West Indian legend Brian Lara appeared to get a bit emotional himself with the scenes.
“You can see it, they are quite happy with him, he’s arrived in Melbourne and this could be the start of something really great for the Melbourne Stars and Andre Fletcher,” the West Indian great said. “Look at this, this is just amazing to see.”
After the match, Fletcher revealed what Maxwell said in the warm embrace between the pair.
“To be honest, he was so happy for me it was a bit emotional,” he said. “He said he loved me. I know the players are looking for me to get a big score and they want the best for me and I’m happy to be in that dressing room.
“I just want to thank the people around me and the great Sir Brian Charles Lara for calling me and encouraging me and giving me the great advice he gave me.
“It meant a lot to me and I was happy to actually contribute and I hope I can continue.”
On Seven, Fletcher said he was “overwhelmed” by Lara’s advice and dedicated “my fifty to my uncle who passed away a few days ago”.
The performance set the Strikers 2/179 with Glenn Maxwell hitting 37 off 28 balls and Hilton Cartwright bringing it home with a 17-ball 30 at the end.
But the Stars spinners then went to work with Maxwell taking 2/12 off his four over, Zahir Khan nabbing 2/19 off his four and Adam Zampa finishing it off with 5/17 in his best ever BBL bowling performance.
It’s the third best BBL figures of the season.
The Stars victory was also the fourth biggest ever BBL win behind only the Thunder’s 129 run win and Sixers’ 145 run win over the Renegades earlier this season and the Stars’ 112 run win against the Renegades in January 2015.
The Renegades’ score of 68 was the third lowest score in the BBL’s history and 19 runs lower that the club’s previous lowest score.
Matthew Renshaw’s 20, Jono Wells’ 18 and Jake Weatherald’s 10 were the only scores of note as the Strikers lost 8/24.
Andre Fletcher is a flop no more.
The big hitting West Indian has barely made a mark in the BBL this season with a mix of bad shots and bad luck with only a no look six and a pair of catches breaking through while his batting has been heavily criticised.
But the man is back to his best with a patient 49-ball 89 to nearly double his season tally against the Adelaide Strikers.
He batted the entire innings to finish not out and took his average for the season from 12.37 to 23.50, having buried his previous high score of 18.
But after the innings, you could see how much it meant to him as he buried his face in his helmet before having a bearhug with skipper Glenn Maxwell on the sideline.
On Seven, West Indian legend Brian Lara appeared to get a bit emotional himself with the scenes on the sideline.
"You can see it, they are quite happy with him, he's arrived in Melbourne and this could be the start of something really great for the Melbourne Stars and Andre Fletcher," the West Indian great said. "Look at this, this is just amazing to see."
'Amazing to see'. This is what that innings meant to Andre Fletcher… and @StarsBBL. #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/Tqm4d9sOvf
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 15, 2021
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js How good the Maxwell-Fletcher embrace! Team sport is the best. #BBL10 @StarsBBL
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) January 15, 2021
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Andre Fletcher looked quite emotional as he came off after that innings #BBL10
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) January 15, 2021
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js That Maxwell and Fletcher moment
