Twitter Reactions: Stoinis, bowlers pile more misery for Melbourne Renegades

Melbourne Renegades don’t seem to see light at the end of the tunnel. Their campaign has gone from bad to worse as they have now lost six matches on the trot in the 2019-20 BBL. The Melbourne Stars comprehensively beat them by eight wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. For the Stars, they strengthened their grip on the top of the points table with 10 crucial points from six matches.

Renegades implode after solid base

The Renegades’ innings was a tale of two halves. Nathan Coulter-Nile got rid of Sam Harper cheaply, but Aaron Finch (25) and Shaun Marsh (43) injected momentum into the innings. It was Adam Zampa, who separated them, castling Finch. Beau Webster joined Marsh and the duo put 62 runs for the third wicket. By the end of the 14th over, the Renegades were going at a rate of around eight.

Sandeep Lamichhane nipped out Marsh, who was looking ominous with a strike-rate of 130.30. Marsh’s dismissal changed the complexion of the innings. In the next 33 balls, Finch’s men could only muster 25 runs. Dale Steyn was a tough nut to crack at the death. Lamichhane was the Stars’ strike-bowler with three wickets. After a lot of travails, the Renegades crawled to 142/9 in their 20 overs.

Stoinis guides Stars to victory

The Stars blazed away in the powerplay, scoring 55 runs. Kane Richardson pinned Nic Maddinson, but Marcus Stoinis was matured enough to not throw his wicket away. On the other hand, the Renegades needed to make breakthroughs to claw their way back into the game. To their dismay, their bowlers were put to the swords. Stoinis got to his fifty off 41 balls and didn’t look flustered.

The opener played until the very end and got an unbeaten 68 off 55 with seven fours and a six. Skipper Glenn Maxwell didn’t allow any panic set in. The swashbuckling Victorian racked up a quick-fire 40 off 32 balls with three fours and a six. The Stars chased down the target with seven deliveries to spare. Cameron Boyce and Will Sutherland were economical, but couldn’t take a wicket.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to Stars’ victory at the MCG: –

I can watch Maxwell bat all day long. #bbl

— 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒒 (@LouisvileIip) January 4, 2020

The reverse sweep from @Gmaxi_32 is just why he is such a dangerous player in this format.

LIVE COMMENTARY 👉 https://t.co/s7ibhWrA22 👈 #BBL09 #BBL pic.twitter.com/m6cASWgoyh

— 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators🏏 (@FlashCric) January 4, 2020

Melbourne Derby WIN ✅
Top of the #BBL09 table ✅
54,478 fans at the @MCG ✅

What a night for #TeamGreen!! 💚 pic.twitter.com/a0WxOyWl4A

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 4, 2020

Stoinis is another level batting top 3 in #MelbourneDerby.. credit where credit is due, has taken on the KP tormentor role against Melbourne Red incredibly well#BBL09 #GetOnRed #HulkSmash

— Arj's Sporting Eye 📷 (@ArjGiese) January 4, 2020

Melbourne Renegades almost out of the tournament with 6 matches lost…#BBL09 …

— Bhargesh 12 🏏 (@CricJammy_12) January 4, 2020

I remember saying something along the lines of "if we win this grand final, I won't care if we lose every game next season".

Fair deal. #BBL09

— Rosh🏏 (@RoshDigital) January 4, 2020

#BBL09 pic.twitter.com/pwcekqaWcm

— ppilFƎd 🏇 (@Rubicon_NZ) January 4, 2020

Richardson might find himself lighter in the pocket before he heads to India with Australia #BBL09

— Summer Sports Ball (@crowdiegal) January 4, 2020

Derby win and still on top 👌 #GoStars #BBL09

— Peter Legato (@PeterLegato) January 4, 2020

lovely jubbly @StarsBBL #bbl09 #teamgreen

— Christopher Bawden 🇦🇺 (@bawdz) (@bawdzisnaughty) January 4, 2020

Victory in the derby! Great performances from the bowlers and Stoinis. Glenn Maxwell leading his team very very well #TeamGreen #BBL09

— Milo the 😼 (@Milo_Fluff) January 4, 2020

Renegades absolutely trash. #BBL09

— Ryan (@Ryanroxs01) January 4, 2020