Melbourne Renegades etched a five-wicket win over Melbourne Stars in Melbourne on Monday. Chasing a target of 127 runs in 20 overs, the Renegades went over the line by 5 wickets and with a couple of overs to spare.
They lost Sam Harper early in the chase after he was sent back in the hut for 7 by Qais Ahmed in the second over but Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh joined hands to stitch a partnership of 63 runs for the second wicket.
While Finch struck a fifty, Marsh scored 21 off 17 during the course. But the Renegades then lost a few wickets in quick succession and were reduced to 91/5 in the 13th over when Mackenzie Harvey and James Seymour came in for the side’s rescue.
The two batters steadied the ship for the team and also made sure that there were no further fall of wickets. Harvey remained unbeaten at 23 off 25 while Seymour scored a 14-ball 17*. Tom O Connell scalped two wickets for 11 runs in two overs for his side.
Earlier, the Stars lost an early wicket in the form of Justin Avendano. Opener Travis Dean along with Charlie Wakim then put up a 30-run stand for the second wicket but Wakim’s departure in the seventh over certainly broke the shackles as they lost wickets at regular intervals to be left tottering at 99/7 before getting bundled out for 126. Cartwright top-scored with 41 off 29.
Topley and Kane Richardson picked up three wickets each for the Renegades.
Richardson later talked about the win in the post-match presentation.
“It is a bitter-sweet feeling, I'm feeling for the boys who are not there tonight. Thoughts are with the boys, we know the game has to go on but it doesn't feel right. I did not even know if I was playing tonight, just turn up and get on with the show and play the game seems to be the way now,” he said.