It was the usual Shaun Marsh on display as the ever-consistent Renegade took his team home in its opening encounter against his former team, Perth Scorchers. Although Marsh got out just when two more runs were required and wasn't able to carry his bat, the damage had already been done, as Renegades chased down the 130-run target set by Scorchers, with 21 balls remaining and seven wickets in hand. Interestingly, Renegades played the match with six debutants.
The score of 130 put up by Scorchers was in no way a daunting total to chase, yet, instead of getting complacent, the experienced pair of skipper Aaron Finch and run machine Marsh got going with an attacking mindset, reaching 70 runs in just eight overs. The partnership was full of dashing shots and yet, smooth as a banana with no hiccups, until Finch was caught by Marsh, the other one - Mitchell - off Jhye Richardson.
But, with this partnership, the old foxes rang a warning bell to other teams that they are going to be a tough unit to crack for the opposition and probably, the most prized scalps in the entire Renegades’ batting line up. While Finch scored 35, Marsh went on to register his 48th T20 fifty.
The three quicks for Scorchers in Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, and Jhye Richardson were playing together for the first time in 670 days and although the Scorchers were defending a small total, it was expected that these three would, at least, get into the groove and pose some threat with the new ball.
However, they were taken to the cleaners by the Renegades openers as Behrendorff leaked 34 runs in his four overs while Tye gave away 37, both stalwarts remaining without a wicket. Jhye, though, was quite exceptional with the ball, as if starting the season from where he left it the last time, picking two wickets in 3.3 overs and giving away just 20 runs.
Earlier, electing to bat after winning the toss, Scorchers started their innings on a disastrous note as they lost three wickets for just 19 runs in three overs. Both their openers, including the destructive Colin Munro, were back in the hut. Ashton Turner and skipper Mitchell Marsh tried to build a solid partnership but it was broken by a brilliant throw from wicketkeeper Sam Harper as he removed the risk-taker Turner.
The team very evidently missed the services of their foreign recruits - Englishmen Liam Livingstone and Jason Roy - both of whom are known for taking the attack to the opposition. In their absence, no other Scorcher batsmen could take the lead, although all-rounder Aaron Hardie tried hard.
The Melbourne team had built pressure right from the start of the game as Kane Richardson and Josh Lalor dismissed openers Josh Inglis and Munro. From there onwards, the two didn't stop and kept taking wickets at regular intervals. They were ably supported by the leggie Peter Hatzoglou, who, on his debut, took two important wickets - of opposition captain Marsh and experienced Bancroft.
The two pacers however took three wickets each and the 33-year-old Lalor was also adjudged Man of the Match for his performance.
After two games that were not very eventful and rather one-sided (at least the second one), the weekend would be cashed in by the BBL authorities as two more matches would be hosted on Sunday. In the first game, Hobart Hurricanes, who would be high on confidence, having won the opening encounter against last year's champs Sydney Sixer, would play Adelaide Strikers tomorrow morning. In the evening, it would be a Sixers vs Renegades contest, where the Sydney-based side would like to get back to winning ways. Finch-led Renegades though would try to continue the good work.
Powered by Froala Editor
Powered by Froala Editor