A dramatic final over ended with Melbourne Stars prevailing over Melbourne Renegades to seal back-to-back derby wins in this season’s Big Bash League.
The Stars appeared to be cruising at 134 for two, needing only 20 more to overhaul the Renegades’ total of 153 for six off almost five overs. However, Glenn Maxwell was clean-bowled by Fawad Ahmed for an excellent 66 off 44 balls to end his third-wicket stand of 120 with Kevin Pietersen. The former England man then followed Maxwell back in the penultimate over for 49, but the Stars were still only 10 away from victory.
They were even firm favourites going into the final over needing just six, but Alex Keath and John Hastings were both run-out with the scores level. Wicket-keeper Tom Triffit did hold his nerve to hit the winning run off the final ball to put the Stars up to third in the table and leave the Renegades languishing in seventh.
Earlier in the piece, Matthew Wade had been the man mainly responsible for the Renegades competitive total after they had won the toss and chosen to bat at the MCG. He hit four sixes during a 49-ball 71, with Tom Beaton then playing a handy role late on with 34 from 29 deliveries. James Faulkner was the pick of the Stars attack with three for 19 from three overs, while Jackson Bird, Hastings and Maxwell were the other wicket-takers.
The Stars’ next match is against Sydney Thunder on 17th January, while the Renegades entertain bottom side Brisbane Heat on 13th January.
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 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +0.843 | 902/115.5 | 831/119.4 |
| Melbourne Stars | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.012 | 922/120.0 | 863/112.3 |
| Sydney Sixers | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.003 | 742/97.0 | 757/99.0 |
| Hobart Hurricanes | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.056 | 899/111.4 | 889/109.4 |
| Sydney Thunder | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.229 | 746/97.0 | 693/87.3 |
| Melbourne Renegades | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.612 | 802/113.5 | 910/118.5 |
| Brisbane Heat | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.242 | 810/100.0 | 875/93.4 |
Daniel Grummitt
He worked for CricketWorld.com for almost three years, leading their county and domestic cricket coverage and contributing to a book about the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, before joining the hugely ambitious World Cricket Badger early in 2014.
The first Test that he remembers watching was on Channel 4 - back before the ECB marginalised potential future fans by selling the TV rights to Sky Sports - when England beat Pakistan by an innings and nine runs at Lord’s.
Besides a passion for domestic cricket, he also has an unexplainable interest in all things Zimbabwe cricket!
Latest posts by Daniel Grummitt (see all)
- LOGAN CUP: Tuskers crowned champions - March 6, 2015
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- LOGAN CUP: Sibanda hits century, Tuskers take control - March 4, 2015
