Dwayne Bravo's Stars beaten in Big Bash

MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC):

Veteran West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was dismissed for a two-ball duck before redeeming himself with a brace of wickets, but his Melbourne Stars still slumped to a six-wicket defeat to Perth Scorchers in the Australian Big Bash League here Wednesday.

Sent in at the MCG, Stars posted 146 for six from their 20 overs, with opener Ben Dunk slamming 62 from 47 deliveries and partner Evan Gulbis getting 32.

Bravo batted at five but failed to make any impact, becoming one of seamer AndrÈ Tye's four wickets for 18 runs, bowled playing across a full length delivery in the 17th over.

In reply, Cameron Bancroft top-scored with 59 from 42 deliveries, putting on 75 for the first wicket with Michael Klinger who made 29, as Scorchers reached their target with over two overs to spare.

When both fell to leave Scorchers 96 for two in the 14th over, captain Ashton Turner played a blinder, stroking an unbeaten 43 off just 22 deliveries and dominating a 40-run third-wicket stand with Ashton Agar (7).

Bravo, who finished with two for 18 from three overs, bowled Agar and Hilton Cartwright (0) with successive deliveries in the 17th over, but by then, the result was all but assured.

Stars lie fourth in the standings on six points, four behind leaders Hobart Hurricanes.