Former Western Zone opening bowler Chris Tremain acquitted himself well with the ball at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night, but his efforts weren’t enough to help his Melbourne Renegades over the line in their second game of the Big Bash League, against the Perth Scorchers.
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All the Renegades’ top five contributed as the hosts compiled 8-148 from their 20 overs, before Tremain tied up his end with the new-ball, bowling 13 dot balls from his four-over spell – which netted him 0-19.
The Renegades looked to be in control of the game too, until West Indian superstar Dwayne Bravo went down after bowling one over, leaving the Melbourne side down a bowler and one of their star fieldsmen.
Bravo’s injury forced Melbourne skipper Aaron Finch to bowl three overs, which he normally wouldn’t. That proved the decisive factor as Finch charged himself with bowling the final over, from which the Scorchers needed 12 to win.
With the Scorchers needing three from the final ball of the thriller, Finch promptly dished up a rank full toss for Ashton Agar (10 not out), who gleefully pumped it for six to seal the win.
That came after Michael Klinger’s 55-ball knock of 72 and Mitch Marsh’s 22-ball 34.
The Renegades will view the loss as a serious missed opportunity after thumping the Sydney Thunder in their opening game a week ago.
Marcus Harris (25), Finch (24), Cameron White (37), Callum Ferguson (28) and Bravo (23) lifted their side to a more than competitive 8-148, Tremain ended the innings 0 not out from two balls.
Klinger, opening the batting, made a huge difference at the top after Shaun Marsh (7) was dismissed early, Tremain taking the catch off the bowling of mesmerising West Indian spinner Sunil Narine.
Ian Bell (22) and Mitch Marsh helped Klinger steady the ship in the chase before Ashton Turner (1) and Adam Voges’ (1) dismissals put the Renegades firmly back on top.
Enter Agar.
The youngster blasted 10 not out from just three balls to get the Scorchers home in the most remarkable of circumstances, whacking a six over midwicket to finish the game despite his side needing just three.
The Renegades will be desperate to bounce back in the Melbourne derby against the Stars, at the MCG on January 1.
Prior to that though the Big Bash League circus will roll into Adelaide on Saturday night when the hometown Strikers play host to the Sydney Sixers, who are carrying Dubbo’s Marty Jeffrey in their squad as a development player.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
