BBL 2016/17: 5 best moments from the Melbourne Renegades-Sydney Thunder clash

Following an absolute hammering in the Sydney derby on Tuesday, the defending champions entered the Docklands Stadium to take on Melbourne Renegades. Understandably, they opted to bowl upon winning the toss and handed a Twenty20 debut to 18-year old Arjun Nair.

Armed with different types of quicks, Thunder picked up a couple of wickets in the Power Play overs. But, the hosts resurrected their fortunes with some explosive hitting and managed to set a formidable target. Requiring nine-an-over, Thunder’s chase fell off the rails from the very first delivery and never really recovered in its aftermath.

Brief Scores: Melbourne Renegades – 179/7 from 20 overs (Aaron Finch 63, Callum Ferguson 38, Andre Russell 2-42, Pat Cummins 1-26); Sydney Thunder – 131 all out from 19.1 overs (Ryan Gibson 39, Pat Cummins 37, Brad Hogg 2-22, Dwayne Bravo 2-28)

Result: Melbourne Renegades won by 48 runs

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#5 Finch in full flow

Aaron Finch got his side off to a thunderous start

All eyes were on Finch after his rather below par performance in the recently completed ODI series against New Zealand. Returning to his favorite format, the powerful 30-year old led from the front and treated the packed house to an exhibition of top-order batting.

Flexing his muscles without any fuss, Finch got going by lofting one right in the slot over the long-off fence. He smartly negotiated Pat Cummins by playing well within himself. When the spinners came on, the Victorian carted them to all directions including an eye-catching shot over deep extra cover.

To Thunder’s relief, the carnage ended after the lure of striking three consecutive sixes caught up with him.

#4 Bravo gets a taste of his own medicine

Bravo got himself into an awkward position against the slower ball

No mortal has played more T20 matches than Dwayne Bravo. The journeyman cricketer has travelled to almost every nook and corner of the globe with many a game-changing performance to his name. Aside from a propensity to create magic on the field and the readiness to flay his bat to great effect, the entertainer’s tour de force is built around his jaw-dropping variety of slower deliveries.

Walking into bat at Finch’s departure, he looked set to carry the Renegades’ momentum towards a 200-plus total. After taking a liking to Arjun Nair’s off-spin and Cummins’ pace, Bravo was done in by a slower one from Clint McKay. The attempt to throw the kitchen sink at it made him lose balance.

The bat flew out of his hands even as the ball smashed onto the stumps. For a change, the bowler in him might have understood the difficulty that often faces opposition batsmen.

#3 The chase that was not on

Eoin Morgan was unable to make any impact whatsoever

Thunder’s chase got off to the worst possible start with Kurtis Patterson driving a wide delivery straight into the hands of Chris Tremain at point. England’s limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan entered into the equation and tried to play himself in before meeting the required run-rate.

But, his stay only lasted all of five deliveries. After a couple of half-hearted nudges on either side, Morgan unleashed a well-timed pull shot. However, it only went as far as deep mid-wicket’s hands and he departed back to the dressing room. From 2/5, the Sydney outfit were always going to be up against it.

#4 Not quite the young man’s game

Brad Hogg is not showing any signs of slowing down

There is often a perception that shorter the format, the more difficult it is for the older men. Try telling that to Brad Hogg. It has been more than 8 years since his international retirement and the shocking contemplation of suicide. For someone who enjoyed playing the game as much as putting smiles on the spectators’ faces, personal and professional life had threatened to collide.

However, his turnaround into a talisman in franchise cricket is nothing short of remarkable. The man, who will turn 46 shortly after the tournament ends, was at it again on a balmy night in Melbourne. He picked up 2 wickets and gave away only 22 runs from his full quota of overs. More importantly, his trademark unbridled celebration returned as well to enliven the atmosphere.

#5 Cummins decides to have some fun

Pat Cummins has auditioned for the role of prospective power hitter

With still 103 runs needed from just 43 balls, Pat Cummins was surprisingly sent in at the fall of the fourth wicket. Prior to this game, the pacer had scored 109 runs from 49 T20s at an average of 8.38 and strike-rate of 101.86.

Even as wickets kept tumbling around him, Cummins decided to swing his willow without any worry and consequently provided the crowd with some unexpected entertainment towards the end of the match. Though his team fell apart rather meekly, he smashed a 23-ball 37 including four sixes.

If Australia cannot convince themselves of his fitness to bowl plenty of overs, the 23-year old can possibly play the role that they have been desperately searching for – batting all rounder.