Stars must put horror show behind them ahead of ‘quarter-final’

Brisbane: The Melbourne Stars must quickly put Friday night’s savage beating in Brisbane behind them ahead of what the team has labelled a "quarter-final" at the MCG on Sunday.

The Stars needed to win just one of their final three home-and-away games to qualify for a seventh semi-final in eight seasons but after blowing their first chance in Perth last weekend, they wasted another opportunity at the Gabba on Friday night.

Marcus Stoinis made 81 against the Heat.Credit:AAP

“We’ve made the quarter-finals. That’s the way we’re looking at it,” Stoinis said.

“Personally, I think sometimes when the game’s like this, it’s easier to put it behind you. You take a few learnings, but we were outplayed by a country mile, so you can’t sit and be disappointed for too long. There’s a game in two days, so just keep moving.”

After a whirlwind period in which he was briefly called up to the Australian Test squad, Stoinis said his mind remained on the task of ensuring the Stars book a finals spot.

“I’m all good. Personally I really want us to get into the finals," Stoinis said.

"That’s my main driving force at the moment. There’s a lot of cricket to come, I’ve played a lot of cricket, but I love playing for the Stars, so hopefully we keep going.

“This group, I don’t know what it is. It’s a bloody special group, we love playing together. Good camaraderie, good bond with the group. So it does burn when you lose these games. We’re very proud of our team, so we’re hoping we get in the finals.”

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