Hobart Hurricanes survived a blitzkrieg from Finch and Marsh to qualify for the BBL. The Hurricanes won the match by just 6 runs after the bowlers put up a stellar performance in the death overs.
Hurricanes skipper Matthew Wade opted to bat in Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. After the early loss of McDermott, Jewell stitched a crucial stand with his skipper. Wade fell short of his fifty by 2 runs while trying to accelerate the innings. Young Singapore batter Tim David hammered the Renegades bowlers in the death overs.
He stayed unbeaten for 46* runs in just 20 deliveries with 4 maximums and 2 fours. The Canes had posted a decent total of 182-5 in 20 overs. The Renegades bowlers were quite expensive and Zahir Khan once again was the pick of the bowlers with 2 scalps to his name.
Finch-Marsh shine, bossed the Canes with the bat
The Gades were playing for their pride after already being out from the race to the finals. Captain Aaron Finch was at his vintage best, smashing the Hurricanes bowlers all across the park. Senior player Shaun Marsh partnered with his skipper for a century stand as the batters went all guns blazing in Melbourne.
In the last delivery of the 15th over, spin sensation Sandip Lamichanne dismissed Marsh against the run of play. The bowlers made a comeback after breaking the partnership, as the Renegades lost 4 wickets for 15 runs in the death overs. Lamichanne and Rogers were the stars of the show as Hobart Hurricanes defended their total in a close contest.
Despite his valiant efforts going in vain, Finch was awarded the Player of The Match Trophy for his heroics with the bat.
“Some slow going through the middle overs with Darcy and Sandeep bowling well, but we got the momentum after that. Could have been a bit better through the 5-8 over mark and that was disappointing. He (Shaun Marsh) is playing so well and just keeps getting better and better and he is a fantastic team man. Quick turnaround for us and playing the Thunder tomorrow.” Finch at post match presentation.
Brief Scores: Hobart Hurricanes 5 for 182 (Wade 48, David 46*, Lalor 2-37, Boyce 2-37) beat Melbourne Renegades 6 for 176 ( Finch 75, Marsh 51, Rogers 3-35, Lamichhane 2-27) by six runs
Hurricanes XI: Ben McDermott (wk), Joshua Kann, Matthew Wade (c), D’Arcy Short, Tim David, Caleb Jewell, Peter Handscomb, Jordan Thompson, Tom Rogers, Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane
Renegades XI: Aaron Finch (c), James Seymour, Shaun Marsh, Unmukt Chand, Jonathan Merlo, Sam Harper (wk), Will Sutherland, Cameron Boyce, Zak Evans, Josh Lalor, Zahir Khan
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