BBL 5 Match 13 Review: Klinger and Marsh ensure a thumping victory over Renegades

Perth Scorchers openers Michael Klinger and Shaun Marsh struck dominating half-centuries as the Scorchers chased down the target of 171 without losing a wicket to register a fairly easy 10 wicket win over Melbourne Renegades.

PS won the toss and chose to field first. But, their bowlers were treated rashly by the opening pair of Aaron Finch and Chris Gayle, who once again gave a blazing start to the Renegades innings. The power hitting duo looked at their best. Finch was the first to show the signs of aggression after he struck two boundaries and a six off the second over of the match. Gayle also turned the heat on after a couple of silent overs. The Renegades raced past the 50 runs mark by the seventh over.

However, Jason Behrendorff, who was the most economical bowler today for the Scorchers, produced a double strike. In the 12th over, Gayle (41 runs off 35 balls) top-edged a catch to Bancroft at mid wicket after he lost the grip of his bat while trying to hit an off cutter by Behrendorff. The 98 runs worth opening partnership was finally brought to a halt.

Cameron White was dismissed for a golden duck off the very next ball by Behrendorff. Matthew Wade the new man in averted the hat-trick chance by ticking the next delivery for a single. Back to back blows dried the run rate to some extent. Soon, in the 18th over Finch’s inning of 72 came to an end after he failed to connect a low full toss by David Willey. But, Matthew Wade (35) and Dwayne Bravo (14) provided the final push to the Renegades scorecard. For the Scorchers, it was only Behrendorff who produced a bright spell of 2/14 at an economy of 3.50.

The target of 171 is not easy despite good batting conditions. Shaun Klinger and Michael Marsh started positively. Both the openers kept hitting the ball to the fence from time to time. Just like the Renegades, the Scorchers went past the fifty run mark by the 7th over. It was Klinger who played the aggressor’s role early on. Marsh soon began to free his arms and the Scorchers run rate began to shoot up.

They still had a tough job at hand as 85 runs more were needed in the last 10 overs. The home team desperately needed a breakthrough, but none of their bowlers cold find one. The 15th overs was a big one and turned the match completely in the favor of the Scorchers. And, by the 19th over, the target was overhauled by the Scorchers with 10 wickets in hand.

It is the first 10-wicket win in BBL history and they thoroughly deserved it. Renegades’ bowlers had no answers to Shaun Marsh (76 runs from 54 balls) and Michael Klinger’s (90 runs from 58 balls) destructive batting performance.

Brief Scores:

Melbourne Renegades: 170/4 in 20 overs (A Finch 72; Behrendorff 2/14)

Perth Scorchers: 171/0 in 18.4 overs (M Klinger 90)

Man of the Match: Michael Klinger