The Stars defended a paltry 6-141 on Saturday after the Scorchers appeared to be cruising to victory in their chase at the MCG.

A severe collapse from visitors, prompted by 14 straight overs of spin bowling, allowed the Stars to prevail by 10 runs.

The Scorchers were doing it easy at 2-62 after nine overs before momentum swung in the Stars' favour when Maddinson hung onto a brilliant return catch off a full-toss to Cameron Bancroft.

Former Australian Test opener Bancroft was holding the Scorchers' chase together with a patient 32.

Even without Australian spinner Adam Zampa, the Stars' slower bowlers did the job with Maddinson, captain Glenn Maxwell and Sandeep Lamichhane all key.

Maddinson finished with 3-24.

"I think once we got out of the powerplay, it was about slowing it up (with spin)," Maxwell said.

"Maddo was a bit shocked when I told him to bowl the first one - and he was even more shocked when I told him he was bowling the last two."

After opting to bat first, a flat Stars outfit struggled to lift the run-rate despite opener Hilton Cartwright carrying his bat for an unbeaten 58 from 56 balls.

The competition's leading run-scorer, Marcus Stoinis, had a rare failure after he was caught for six.

Scorchers opening bowler Matthew Kelly took important wickets, finishing with figures of 3-27.

It was a far tighter affair than when the teams played in Perth on Wednesday night, when the Stars were relentless in winning with eight overs to spare.

They had rolled the Scorchers for only 86.

"I think in that situation we would definitely back ourselves into win," Scorchers captain Mitch Marsh said.

"There was some poor decision making...I'm very disappointed in that performance - it was a big game for us to gain back a bit of momentum."

The Stars next travel to play the Sydney Sixers on Monday, while the Scorchers host the Sydney Thunder later that night.

Australian Associated Press