(Cricket News) After a heartbreaking loss in the previous season’s BBL final, Heat produced an almost flawless performance in front of 20,000 satisfied fans. Opener Colin Munro smashed an unbeaten 99 before Brisbane Heat overcame a brief flurry from an injured Glenn Maxwell to thump Melbourne Stars in the BBL season opener at the Gabba.

Munro gave them the perfect start by batting through the innings in a belligerent 61-ball knock that lifted Heat to a massive total of 214 for 3.

With all eyes on him following his heroics at the World Cup, Maxwell led the Stars to a formidable batting lineup that was capable of a record chase on the ground. Maxwell came to the crease early in the first over, as openers Tom Rogers and Sam Harper were dismissed by quick Michael Neser.

Maxwell then produced an incredible attack on left-arm quick Spencer Johnson in the fourth over, smashing 18 runs in four deliveries, but a wispy whip to the boundary caused him visible discomfort, though he hit the next ball for six over backward square leg.

The pressure was on Marcus Stoinis, who had played in the first three Twenty20 Internationals against India following the World Cup, but he hit left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann to short extra cover.

Maxwell sought medical attention twice and had his forearm taped. He was hoping to produce another match-winning knock while batting in pain, but he failed on his first attempt at the reverse sweep when he hit legspinner Mitchell Swepson straight to deep cover.

A forgettable game for the Stars, who have been determined to bounce back from last season’s wooden spoon as they bid for a drought-breaking title, the dismissal left Stars in tatters at 52 for 4 in the seventh over, and they never recovered despite some lusty hitting from Hilton Cartwright. The result leaves Stars already on the back foot, and they will be sweating on Maxwell’s fitness.

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