Published: Dec 20, 2018, 07:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 20, 2018, 07:45 PM (IST)
Melbourne Renegades kicked off their Big Bash League 2018-19 campaign in style with a four-wicket win over Perth Scorchers at the Docklands Stadium on Thursday. After restricting Scorchers to 103, the home side, despite early hiccups, chased down the target with 28 balls to spare.
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Put into bat, Renegades vice-captain Dan Christian (3/22) and Kane Richardson (3/22) destroyed the visitor’s batting line-up, while wrist-spinner Cameron Boyce (0/13) put the clamps on in a tidy display. Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Usman Shinwari (2/17) claimed the wicket of Sam Whiteman in the third over and Jack Wildermuth (2/13) picked up two wickets, including captain Mitchell Marsh, who departed for just 3.
It was the Scorchers’ lowest total away from home in history and lowest anywhere in almost three years.
Renegades’ run chase was not without drama. They lost their openers – Tim Ludeman (2) and Jack Wildermuth (0) – to Jason Behrendorff (2/17) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (2/22) respectively. The duo further reduced Renegades to 17/4 in the fourth over.
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However, Sam Harper (36 off 25) and Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi (35 off 27) steadied the innings with a 68-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Christian (13*) hit the winning runs to lead Renegades to their first ever triumph over the Scorchers in their ninth attempt.
Brief scores: Melbourne Renegades 107/6 in 15.2 overs (Sam Harper 36, Mohammad Nabi 35) beat Perth Scorchers 103 in 19 overs (Michael Klinger 28; Daniel Christian 3/22, Kane Richardson 3/23) by four wickets
