The Brisbane Heat have weathered a Marcus Stoinis storm to prevail in their Big Bash League opener against the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.
Chasing 207, the Stars were in all sorts at 3-38 before Stoinis (99 from 51) arrived and gave the visitors a sniff before falling 15 runs short.
Stoinis was run-out going for his 100th run in the final over, in which the Stars needed 24 to win.
He and James Faulkner (47 not out from 38) shared in a 137-run partnership that hushed the 27,433 in attendance, who had earlier cheered their side beyond 200 despite the absence of batting sensation Chris Lynn.
Earlier, the Heat showed they were no one-man team, with Joe Burns (50 from 27) and Alex Ross (51 from 36) ensuring the runs flowed in the middle overs after Brendon McCullum's fast start and Ben Cutting's powerful closing knock.
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The Stars used eight bowlers, with off-spinner Michael Beer (2-21 from four) and Stoinis (3-38 from four) the most effective.
McCullum did the damage early, taking to Scott Boland in a third over that netted 24 runs.
He continued to pepper the square boundaries before departing for a typically bruising 40 from 22 balls.
Cutting then took over, muscling a quick fire 34 from 18 deliveries to push the Heat beyond 200.
Sharp catches from Mitch Swepson and McCullum to dismiss Ben Dunk (0) and Kevin Pietersen (10) put the Heat in complete control.
And when Glenn Maxwell (8) hit a Shadab Khan (2-41 from four) long-hop to deep mid-on the Stars were 3-38.
But then Stoinis came to the crease, hit his second ball for six and five more after that to take control of the contest.
A 22-run Ben Cutting over gave the Stars hope, but Mark Steketee held his nerve in the final over to see the Stars finish 6-191.
The Heat were struck a blow before the toss, with a minor hamstring strain denying Lynn his return from shoulder surgery.
Lynn is unlikely to play in the Heat's clash with Melbourne Renegades on Saturday, with a return at the Gabba against the Sydney Thunder next Wednesday the more likely scenario.
Burns sustained a minor groin strain while batting and did not take the field for the run chase.
