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Melbourne Stars still have time to avoid another embarrassing BBL finals exit, but have to turn it around quickly ahead of a sudden-death match.
Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey is weighing up all selection options as the BBL underachievers try to avoid another finals wipeout.
It was a familiar tale for the Stars in their qualifying final against the Sydney Sixers at the MCG on Friday night, crumbling to be all-out for 99 - the lowest score in their history.
The dramatic collapse prompted Australian cricket legend Shane Warne to slam the team he captained for the first three BBL seasons.
"Once again they are not handling the pressure of a final. This is ordinary," Warne said while commentating on Fox Sports.
The Stars have made the finals in eight of the nine BBL seasons, but are one of only two teams - along with Hobart - who are yet to win a title.
They collapsed with 7-19 in last year's decider to fail chasing the Melbourne Renegades' 5-145.
Despite an overall record of 51-43 - the second best in the BBL behind three-time champions Perth on 55-41 - the Stars' post-season record is 2-8.
It heaps significant pressure on the Stars, who finished the regular season on top of the ladder, leading into their sudden-death match on Thursday.
They will host the winner of Saturday's match between Adelaide and the Sydney Thunder for a shot at a rematch with the Sixers in the decider at the SCG.
"We've got to consider all options now. We've underperformed the last four games so all options are on the table," Hussey told reporters.
"I'll go around to each player and ask them some hard-hitting questions, some confronting questions but we were completely outplayed.
"To put in a batting performance like that wasn't good enough and not the way the Stars want to play the game.
"I think you'll find each individual player will come out a different style of player (on Thursday)."
The Stars opened the season with a 10-1 record to seal top spot, but dropped their last three matches heading into the finals.
To rub salt into the wounds, the crowd for the Stars' clash with the Sixers was a paltry 13,275.
