The Stars desperately needed early wickets in defense of their meagre total, and Haris Rauf gave them exactly that with an electric opening spell. The Pakistani speedster produced a devastating burst of pace and accuracy to rip through the Scorchers’ top order, claiming three wickets for just two runs in his fiery opening spell that momentarily gave the Stars hope. He struck with the first ball of his spell to dismiss Mitchell Marsh, who top-edged a pull shot that swirled in the air before Glenn Maxwell completed a juggling catch near short midwicket. Rauf continued his rampage by removing Cooper Connolly for just 2, caught at cover, before trapping Josh Inglis LBW for one to reduce the Scorchers to 26 for three in 4.1 overs. For a brief moment, the Stars sensed an opportunity to defend the modest target, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
