Renegades Clinch Two-Wicket Victory Over Scorchers
The Melbourne Renegades secured a thrilling two-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium, breaking a six-match losing streak against the West Australian team. Despite a dramatic middle-order collapse, the Renegades held their nerve, with the winning runs coming off the bat of captain Will Sutherland in the final over.
Match Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Top Scorer | Best Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Renegades | 144/8 | 2 wickets | Jacob Bethell (30) | Tom Rogers (3/22) |
| Perth Scorchers | 143/8 | 1 wicket | Cooper Connolly (66) | Tom Rogers (3/22) |
Chasing a Modest Total
The Scorchers, batting first, struggled on a seaming wicket after being sent in by Renegades’ captain. Perth’s batters found it difficult to score, finishing with 143 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Tom Rogers was the standout performer with the ball, taking 3 for 22 from four overs to help restrict the Scorchers’ total.
Rogers Stars with the Ball
Rogers’ excellent bowling effort was crucial to the Renegades’ success. Alongside him, Kane Richardson and Fergus O’Neill also put in solid shifts, with O’Neill conceding just 18 runs from his four overs. The Scorchers’ batters, meanwhile, were struggling to build partnerships.
Connolly’s Heroic Knock for Scorchers
Cooper Connolly, however, stood out for the Scorchers, smashing a crucial 66 off 50 balls. His innings included six sixes, two of which came off consecutive deliveries from quick bowler Kane Richardson. Matthew Spoors also made a notable contribution with 29 off 26 balls, but the Scorchers’ total was still well short of what they had hoped for.
Renegades’ Strong Start in Chase
In reply, the Renegades began their chase confidently, reaching 96 for 3 by the 10th over. Key cameos from Jacob Bethell (30 off 22), Tim Seifert (28 off 14), and Laurie Evans (24 off 18) kept the run rate up. Despite a middle-order collapse where the Renegades lost 5 wickets for 44 runs, the chase remained in the balance, with the score at 128 for 7 after 16 overs.
Late Drama and the Winning Runs
With the pressure mounting, a brilliant direct-hit run-out from Matthew Kelly reduced the Renegades to 128 for 7. With just four runs needed from nine balls, Fergus O’Neill was caught at mid-off, raising the tension further. But Captain Will Sutherland held his composure and guided his team to victory, hitting the winning runs with one over to spare.
Outstanding Fielding by Renegades
One of the major highlights of the match was the exceptional fielding from the Renegades, particularly from Mackenzie Harvey. Harvey’s brilliant one-handed catch at midwicket to dismiss Spoors was one of the game’s standout moments. He also executed a direct hit run-out and saved numerous runs with his sharp fielding throughout.
Scorchers’ Struggles Continue
For the Scorchers, their early batting woes were compounded by a solid bowling performance from the Renegades. Despite a valiant knock from Connolly, their total of 143 for 8 was always on the lower side. They were left to rue missed opportunities in both batting and fielding as they suffered their second consecutive loss, dropping to 1-2 in the tournament.
Renegades’ Early Success
With this win, the Renegades improve to 2-1 in the competition, while the Scorchers, despite a fighting effort, remain at 1-2.
