Umpiring controversy can’t stop Stars, Stoinis in win over Hurricanes

McDermott had threatened to run down the Stars’ imposing total of 6-183 but two brilliant catches to Fletcher turned the tide as the Hurricanes finished at 6-173.

Fletcher caught Colin Ingram for 17 in the deep and then took a diving catch at high speed, also in the deep, to dismiss the dangerous McDermott.

Earlier, Stoinis needed 21 runs off Scott Boland’s final over to reach a century and he got close, finishing on 97.

He hit four fours and chose not to run off the second ball with new batsman Zampa at the other end.

The opener needed a six off the last ball to reach 100 but a tight Boland yorker kept him to just two runs.

He was ably supported by Nicholas Poorun, who made 26 off 21 balls, including three fours and a six, before chopping on to Nathan Ellis.

But Stoinis found another ally in Hilton Cartwright, who whacked three sixes to get to 36 off 24 balls, although he too chopped on to Ellis.

The Stars’ other main weapon Glenn Maxwell fell for six. So often a show-stopper, his trademark reverse sweep was on this night his downfall.

Maxwell attempted one off spinner Sandeep Lamichhane but the ball was too straight, and he missed to be out LBW.

The Hurricanes were 2-99 from 14 overs, needing almost 90 runs off nearly the final six overs. But the equation became 40 runs from the final three overs and then 21 from the final over.

Peter Handscomb hit a six off the second ball to reduce that to 14 off four balls but he was run out stretching for an extra run off the fourth ball.

McDermott batted brilliantly for the Hurricanes and gave them a fighting chance of getting the win.

He whacked eight fours and five sixes while for the Stars the bowling effort of Sam Rainbird was strong (2-22), while the return of Zampa was important.

Zampa had missed the last game due to being suspended for swearing and came into the side for the injured Nic Maddinson.