Right then, that's all from this game. The Big Bash League 2022-23 action continues on Thursday, 22nd December as Sydney Sixers take on Hobart Hurricanes at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!
Andre Russell is the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 57 runs from 42 balls. He says that it is great to win three in a row. Adds that he is only here for four games and is happy that he contributed here but credits the whole team for their performance. Mentions that he backs himself in any situation and wants to be brave which helped him. Tells that it was not a good idea of slogging the seaming ball, but once the other ball came out it did not move that much. Credits Akeal Hosein for playing some good shots at the end and ends by saying that Aaron Finch showed his experience to get them over the line.
Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, Brisbane Heat lost their openers Colin Munro and Max Bryant inside the first three overs. Sam Billings and Matt Renshaw started the repair job and resurrected the innings with a 61-run stand. With a power surge still to come, the platform was set for batters to get a move on. However, the drinks break proved to be a disaster for Brisbane Heat as they lost both set batters in the 11th over. Soon, they were reduced to 108-7 at the end of 18 overs. Jimmy Peirson then unleashed himself in the two power surge overs and helped Brisbane Heat reach a respectable total. Despite the skipper's late fight with the bat and Michael Neser's new ball spell, Brisbane Heat failed to defend the total against Melbourne Renegades.
Having scored 29 runs in the last two overs, Brisbane Heat took that momentum from the power surge into their bowling effort. Michael Neser set the tone early dismissing Sam Harper and Jake Fraser-McGurk in the first over. In his second over, he got rid of Nic Maddinson and Jonathan Wells off consecutive deliveries to complete a hat-trick. Having reduced Melbourne Renegades to 9-4, Brisbane Heat were in a commanding position. However, they were blown away by the clean hitting of Andre Russell and were behind the eight ball even before they knew. With not a big total to defend, Brisbane Heat did take the game till the last over but could not manage to get over the line in this fixture.
Melbourne Renegades make it three wins on the trot in Big Bash League 2022-23! Aaron Finch has done it for them taking them over the line in the last over. In their pursuit of 138, Melbourne Renegades were pegged back early losing four wickets inside the first three overs. Andre Russell put on a counter-attacking show along with support from Aaron Finch to help them claw their way back into the game. After the departure of Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein came out and smashed it all around the park to get Melbourne Renegades within touching distance. In the end, Will Sutherland and Aaron Finch saw Melbourne Renegades home with four balls to spare.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
139/6 (19.2)
57 (42)
31* (43)
4/32 (4)
2/23 (4)
Over 20
0
4
Aaron Finch*
31 (43)
Will Sutherland
6 (1)
James Bazley
0/28 (3.2)
REN
139/6
4
19.2
James Bazley to Aaron Finch ,FOUR! Aaron Finch finishes off in style! James Bazley bowl this full and around off, Aaron Finch makes some room and drives it over extra covers for a boundary. Melbourne Renegades win by 4 wickets!
0
19.1
James Bazley to Aaron Finch ,This is on a hard length and on middle, Aaron Finch comes down the track and has a swing at it, but fails to connect.
James Bazley will bowl the final over.
Over 19
0
4
2
0
W
6
Will Sutherland*
6 (1)
Aaron Finch
27 (41)
Mark Steketee
2/23 (4)
REN
135/6
6
18.6
Mark Steketee to Will Sutherland ,SIX! Will Sutherland has sent this out of the stadium. What a shot from him and this releases all the pressure. Mark Steketee serves this full and on off, Will Sutherland winds up and absolutely dispatches it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 3 runs needed in the last over!
Will Sutherland is the new man in for Melbourne Renegades.
W
18.5
Mark Steketee to Akeal Hosein ,OUT! TAKEN! Mark Steketee gets the breakthrough! Akeal Hosein will be disappointed with himself as there was no need for that shot. Mark Steketee serves this full and on leg, Akeal Hosein gets his front leg out of the way and goes for the heave, but fails to get under it and mistimes it flat and in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Sam Billings there takes a stunning catch diving forward. Melbourne Renegades still need 9 runs off 7 balls.
0
18.4
Mark Steketee to Akeal Hosein ,A slower one now, on a length and around leg, Akeal Hosein goes for the pull shot, but is through his shot early and misses.
2
18.3
Mark Steketee to Akeal Hosein ,This is on a good length and on middle, Akeal Hosein miscues his heave high up in the air, but it lands safely in the mid on region. Two runs taken!
4
18.2
Mark Steketee to Akeal Hosein ,FOUR! Akeal Hosein connects this time! This is back of a length again and on off this time, Akeal Hosein stays there and swats it through extra covers for a boundary. 11 runs needed in 10 balls now.
0
18.1
Mark Steketee to Akeal Hosein ,Back of a length and on middle, Akeal Hosein makes room and slashes at it, but misses it completely.
Mark Steketee (3-0-11-1) will bowl the penultimate over.
Over 18
6
wd
1
2
6
1
0
Aaron Finch*
27 (41)
Akeal Hosein
24 (14)
Mitchell Swepson
0/32 (4)
REN
123/5