Published - Dec 20, 2018 4:43 pm | Updated - Dec 20, 2018 5:17 pm
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The match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers in the 2018-19 Big Bash League (BBL) at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne turned out to be a rather one-sided affair. In the end, it was the Renegades, captained by Tom Cooper, emerged triumphant by four wickets. Scorchers’ bowlers did reasonably well but didn’t get appropriate support from the batsmen.
Renegades restrict the batters
Melbourne Renegades won the toss and elected to bowl first and the decision paid dividends as their bowlers restricted the Scorchers to 103 and bowled them out with one over remaining. Sam Whiteman was castled by Pakistani speedster Usman Shinwari. David Willey and Michael Klinger threatened for a brief while, but Kane Richardson removed Willey for 12 to pick up the second wicket.
Klinger, who looked the best amongst the batter with 28 runs from 32 balls, was nipped out by speedster Daniel Christian. Thereafter, the Scorchers strained and couldn’t inject any momentum into the innings. From the Renegades’ perspective, Richardson and Christian picked up three wickets each while Usman and fast bowler Jack Wildermuth got rid of a couple of batsmen each.
Renegades struggle, but prevail
The Scorchers, in their run-chase, got off to a horrendous start as they were reduced to 17/4 in the fourth over. Even as Tim Ludeman and Cameron White perished to left-armer Jason Behrendroff, Nathan Courter Nile dismissed Wildermuth and skipper Tom Cooper. Nevertheless, Sam Harper and Afghan veteran Mohammad Nabi took the bowling by the scruff of their necks.
The duo cobbled together a stand of 68 runs from 45 balls. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar accounted for the wicket of Nabi, who scored 35 with four boundaries and two sixes. Scorchers picked up the sixth wicket in the form of Harper after he racked up 36 from 25 balls. It was Will Sutherland and Christian, who held their nerves and got the Renegades’ home with 28 balls to spare.
Here is how Twitter reacted
Review system in action #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/c5FidJTtyW
— Steve Allen (@ScubaStv) December 20, 2018
Never count the @ScorchersBBL out of a contest when defending a total. Exceptional team #BBL08
— Ash (@Tenash921) December 20, 2018
Red Melbourne with a textbook tribute to the Pakistan cricket team with this performance #BBL08
— Dean Smith (@deanwsmith) December 20, 2018
Oh Sutherland is 19 and playing BBL now huh? And I’m 20 and sitting on my couch, cool cool cool cool #BBL08
— Matt Parker (@zoonmattau2) December 20, 2018
"Renegades have never beaten Scorchers"
YES, WE KNOW, YOU'VE SAID IT 50 FUCKIN TIMES! #BBL08— Higgo (@Higgo74) December 20, 2018
This is Melbourne Renegades' biggest win (in terms of balls remaining) since January 2016. #BBL08
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 20, 2018
Last time Will Sutherland played here he was full-forward for Vic Metro
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) December 20, 2018
15011 at Marvel Stadium tonight. The week before Christmas is usually a tough gig for drawing BBL crowds
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) December 20, 2018
Sam Harper and Mohammad Nabi have fought back brilliantly for the Scorchers, adding an unbeaten 58 for the fifth wicket, to leave 28 required from 10 overs #BBL
— Tom Mason (@tom_mason18) December 20, 2018
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Rashid Khan
Mohammad NabiAfghanistan doing brilliantly in #BBL08 already!#BBL #Cricket
— CricBlog (@cric_blog) December 20, 2018
Mohammad Nabi is a very good player ۔If given chance .So it will play very well .
— Mubashir Buzdar (@MubashirBuzdar1) December 20, 2018
Mohammad Nabi in Rollicking Form
— Abhijeet (@TheYorkerBall) December 20, 2018
Renegades fans will be desperate for Mohammad Nabi to come through here, but his 2018 has been defined by power, not anchoring. He's scored at 9.58rpo, but has been dismissed on average every 16 deliveries. #BBL08
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 20, 2018
