It was the Melbourne derby in the final of the Big Bash League as Melbourne Renegades took on Melbourne Stars. The Dockland Stadium hosted the grand finale of the 8th edition of the BBL. The Renegades won their first ever title by snatching victory from the jaws of Stars.
Glenn Maxwell, the captain of Stars, opted to field by winning the toss. The batting of Melbourne Renegades was in disarray. They lost wickets at constant intervals and were in danger of falling short of a competitive total on the day that mattered the most. They were down to 65/5 in the 11th over.
Tom Cooper and Daniel Christian then came together and began to rebuild. It was important at that stage not to go for an all-out attack. They batted sensibly and a stand of 80 took the team to a respectable 145/5 at the halfway stage.
It wasn’t a daunting total and the Stars made life difficult for the opposition with a solid opening stand. Ben Dunk and Marcus Stoinis provided the perfect start for the team. They added 93 runs which put the Men in Green in the driver’s seat. Cameron Boyce gave Renegades the first breakthrough by removing Stoinis for 39 in the 13th over.
Then began perhaps the biggest slide possible in the game. From 93/0, the stars crumbled and lost 7 wickets for just 19 runs. The Renegades came storming back into the match as the Stars’ batsman kept departing one after the other. After 20 overs, Melbourne Stars were halted at 132/7 which meant Melbourne Renegades won the match by 13 runs to lift their first BBL trophy.
Match Summary
Melbourne Stars won the toss and opted to bowl first
Melbourne Renegades: 145/5 in 20 overs
Tom Cooper 43* (35), Daniel Christian 38* (30)
Adam Zampa 21/2 (4), Jackson Bird 25/2 (3)
Melbourne Stars: 132/7 in 20 overs
Ben Dunk 57 (45), Marcus Stoinis 39 (38)
Chris Tremain 21/2 (4), Cameron Boyce 30/2 (4)
Melbourne Renegades won by 13 runs
Player of the Match: Daniel Christian
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