Ben Stokes likes Australia. He smashed 77 off only 37 balls on BBL debut to catapult Melbourne Renegades to a 36-run win over Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval.
It is only the second win for the Renegades this term as they posted 7 for 163, a total that squeezed the Hurricanes out of the game.
Despite Stokes heroics, only Callum Ferguson joined him in scoring more than 14. His 31 from 31 balls included just one boundary, but provided Stokes with the platform to dominate.
Hurricanes won the toss and were 2 for 20 after 3.1 overs with both openers back in the dugout. Stokes and Ferguson then added 86 for the third wicket in 8.2 overs when Stokes fell to his 37th ball after hitting 8 fours and 5 sixes.
The Englishman had made his name as one of the few who returned from the last Ashes tour with an increased reputation, but has struggled to maintain momentum in his international career since. After his departure however, only 54 runs were added in the final 9 overs and victory was far from assured.
The Hurricanes’ chase started badly with Tim Paine, Ben Dunk and Alex Hales all out to see the score 3 for 29 inside the six over powerplay. Skipper George Bailey managed a top score of only 20 from 24 balls.
From there, with hope lost, the Hurricanes slumped to 126 all out with four balls left of their 20 overs. It was the Hurricanes’ third defeat in BBL|04.
CURRENT STANDINGS
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +1.154 | 710/85.3 | 715/100.0 |
| Perth Scorchers | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.657 | 765/100.0 | 697/99.4 |
| Sydney Sixers | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.003 | 742/97.0 | 757/99.0 |
| Sydney Thunder | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.064 | 665/80.0 | 609/73.5 |
| Melbourne Stars | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.004 | 768/100.0 | 710/92.3 |
| Hobart Hurricanes | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.403 | 815/98.0 | 808/92.4 |
| Melbourne Renegades | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.733 | 649/93.5 | 756/98.5 |
| Brisbane Heat | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.032 | 676/80.0 | 738/77.5 |
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
Latest posts by James Buttler (see all)
- #CWC15: South Africa geared up for tight Sri Lanka contest - March 16, 2015
- #UAE15: Bon voyage Derbyshire as Champions Yorkshire land in Abu Dhabi - March 13, 2015
- Sussex sign Mahela Jayawardene for NatWest T20 Blast - March 13, 2015
