Wright reflects on derby demolition

Scoring a match-winning century is always special, but producing one in front of 80,883 passionate fans at his adopted home ground ensures Luke Wright will be savouring his unbeaten 109 for a long time to come.

Wright had been uncharacteristically quiet in the Melbourne Stars' first three KFC Big Bash League outings of the year, but the England import righted that wrong when it counted – during the Melbourne derby in front of a record BBL crowd.

The opener starting slowly, but turned it on when needed, plundering 11 fours and four sixes – including one to bring up his ton.

WATCH: Wright brings up his ton in style

"You need a little bit of luck as well," said Wright, who was dropped by Tom Beaton on 64.

"But everyone who came in to bat did well, kept it ticking over nicely.

"We said the Renegades didn’t score as many twos as they could have, it’s a big ground, so we knew we could keep ticking over with twos and threes.

"It was really just about trying keep it under 10 per over and it worked out really well."

Wright put his slow start to the season down to opting against a stint in New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition in the lead-up to BBL|05, but said he now felt everything had clicked into place.

"I had a really good season in England then I had a break," he said.

"I tried to play club cricket but I felt rusty in my first few games. But Trent Woodhill our batting coach along with (head coach) Stephen Fleming has been really good, they kept me really calm and just told me to go back to basics."

WATCH: Melbourne derby highlights

A consistent performer for the Stars since BBL|01, Wright said the experience of scoring a century in front of 80,883 people – the majority of whom were passionately cheering him on – was a new experience.

"I've played in front of similar crowds here while playing for England, but we got smashed by Australia," he said.

"To have the majority of the crowd on your side willing you on was very special. It's one of my best moments in cricket."

The highly-anticipated local derby smashed the previous Big Bash League attendance record of 52,637 at Adelaide Oval.

"It's just extraordinary the way the competition is going, the quality of cricket is unbelievable and the crowds astonishing," Stars coach Fleming said.

"To have almost 81,000 at a domestic match will send shockwaves around the cricket world.

"There's been a lot of talk about different formats of the game, but when you're ... breaking records every game it's sending a very strong message that I'm sure a lot of people will be taking notice of and looking to plot the future.

"We were thinking 50,000 to 60,000 would be an amazing day, but (almost) 81,000 – I'm speechless. The players are absolutely pinching themselves.

"For Luke to have a day like that will be one he'll never forget, for sure."

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