Twitter Reactions: Melbourne Renegades finally break nine-match losing streak with a win over Thunder

Alex Ross tried his best in the end. But he was left to do a little too much in the end.

By Aditya Gajanan Kukalyekar verified

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4 Min Read

Melbourne Renegades
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Melbourne Renegades. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The defending champions Melbourne Renegades have finally opened their account in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). They defeated the Sydney Thunder and have spoiled the party for them as well. The Thunder needed to win this game to stay ahead in the top-four clash but are left behind now with their fifth loss in 10 matches. However, the Renegades will be finally breathing easy after registering their first win in 10 matches.

After opting to bat first, Shaun Marsh and Marcus Harris got the team off to a decent start adding 49 runs in seven overs. The latter was the first one to be dismissed but Sam Harper’s arrival only helped the Renegades in upping the ante. Another 49-run stand followed between him and Marsh as the Men in Red looked set to post a huge total. But quick fall of Marsh and Beau Webster affected the run-scoring.

However, Harper continued to play his shots and also stabilized the innings. He was well assisted by Daniel Christian whose blitz helped the Renegades post an above-par total. Harper too scored a half-century before getting out for 52 off just 38 balls. Mohammad Nabi ended the innings well scoring 11 runs off three deliveries as the Renegades ended on 172/4 after 20 overs.

Liam Bowe was the best bowler for the Thunder as he returned with the figures of 2/23 in four overs while Chris Morris and Nathan McAndrew were the other wicket-takers.

Melbourne Renegades survive Alex Ross scare

The Sydney Thunder lost Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson and Daniel Sams in the first five overs of the chase. At 30/3, things looked very tough for them and rain arrived at the same time to make things worse. On resumption, the chase was reduced to 14 overs and the target of 135 runs was set. The Thunder now needed 105 runs in nine overs and they wanted Alex Hales to play a blinder of a knock.

But the England international succumbed under pressure and played one too many shots before getting out on 31. The wickets kept falling and the equation came down to 57 runs off the last three overs. Alex Ross then decided to take on Mohammad Nabi in the 12th over of the innings. The left-hander smacked three sixes and a four off the Afghanistan bowler and suddenly there was fear of losing among the Renegades’ fans again.

26 runs from the Nabi over brought it down to 31 runs from the last two overs. However, the skipper Daniel Christian led from the front with the ball and snaffled two wickets in the final over while going for just five runs. He sent back the dangerous Ross off the last delivery of the over to effectively kill the contest. Sydney Thunder could just reach 122 runs for the loss of seven wickets after 14 overs and lost the game by 12 runs.

The Melbourne Renegades finally managed to win their first game of the season and they would like to build on it now for the remainder of the competition.

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