REN VS STA MATCH 41

Right then, that is all we have from this cracker of a game! On Sunday, 15 of January, we have two more entertaining games coming up. First up, Hobart Hurricanes will take on Sydney Thunder and that game will start at 8.10 am IST (2.40 am GMT). The second one will be played between Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers and it will start at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). Do join us for the build-up of both the games. Cheers!

Kane Richardson is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his two wickets for just 17 runs in four overs.

Stars, well, this loss will be quite tough to digest for them. They were well on course to win this game, not only win but win it convincingly. However, in a bid to increase their run-rate, they kept playing shots even though wickets were falling at regular intervals after a good 88-run opening stand. Clarke was brilliant at the top of the order and Webster’s cameo of 29 off 18 balls seemed to have sealed the deal but it was not the case as Stars choked under pressure in the death overs. The extra runs they gave away in the first half at the death did haunt them here but it was really a matter of playing some smart normal cricket after they got to a good start but they failed to do it and paid the price.

Aaron Finch and all the Renegades fans would be very proud of this performance. Games like these tastes the character of the individuals and team and the men in red have surely shown that today. They were put under pressure with the bat early on but somehow on the back of good knocks by Harper and Wells, they got to a competitive total. However, with the ball, they were blown away by the openers in the first 8 overs. Fawad Ahmed provided the glimmer of hope when he broke the opening stand in the 9th over and after that wickets kept falling at regular intervals. The Power Surge taken by Stars to finish the game off early brought Renegades into the game as they got some quick wickets during those overs. Kane Richardson was absolutely brilliant both in the Power Surge and at the death while Rogers too held his composure, in the end, to seal the game for his side.

Oh, my word! Melbourne Renegades have pulled off a heist here! An absolute heist! They looked down and out for the most part of this run-chase but somehow they managed to stay in the game and have clinched this game in a dramatic fashion. Stars, on the other hand, would be pondering how could they make a mess of such a straightforward chase here. They have only themselves to blame but nevertheless, it has been a superb game of cricket!

Will Sutherland finishes the over with a dot and hands the win to Melbourne Renegades. This is brilliant. The crowd joins in with a loud roar here. It is full, outside off. Nick Larkin tries to chase it but gets beaten. Melbourne Renegades win the game by 6 runs.

FOUR! Nick Larkin keeps his side in the game here. It is a length ball, outside off. Nick Larkin gets it to fly over backward point off the outer half. It races away to the fence.

Who walks in next?

OUT! RUN OUT! Incredible piece of fielding by Will Sutherland off his own bowling. It is a yorker, on off. Luke Wood throws his blade at it. The ball hits the inner half and bumps off the deck. Will Sutherland leaps and gathers the ball with his right hand that is stretched out. Nick Larkin races away to the other end. Luke Wood is late in his charge. Will Sutherland runs towards the non-striker's end and takes the bails off.

Slower one, full and on leg. Nick Larkin miscues his shot towards long on. They only get a single.

OH NO! They do not run here. Nick Larkin is taking the matter into his own hands here. It is full, outside off. Nick Larkin slices it to the left of the man in the deel. Jake Fraser-McGurk is quick to rush to his left and stop the ball.

A dot to start the final over. Back of a length, just outside off, with not much pace on offer. Nick Larkin cuts it to backward point.

Will Sutherland to bowl the last over! 12 runs needed to win. Can Melbourne Renegades pull off a heist here?

Nick Larkin throws his bat at it but only gets a single off it. He retains the strike so that is a positive outcome for Melbourne Stars. It is a length ball, outside off. Nick Larkin slices it to the right of backward point. Kane Richardson moves to that side, slides in and make the stop. One taken.

Luke Wood is able to rotates he strike here. It is short, on leg. Luke Wood pulls it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single. 13 needed off 7 balls. Will Nick Larkin go for a boundary here? Or will he retain the strike?

A length ball, angled across at 137 clicks. Luke Wood slashes but misses.

Luke Wood walks out to the middle.