‘Gades stun Stars
Harvey delivers satisfying revenge in the Melbourne derby
AN incredible innings from 20-year-old Mackenzie Harvey has sealed derby revenge for the Melbourne Renegades who defeated the Stars in the final over thriller on Wednesday night.
In a largely hapless season, Harvey gave Renegades fans reasons to cheer with a stunning 47 off 21 that propelled his side to victory with just two balls to spare at Marvel Stadium.
Requiring 62 off 27 balls, Harvey and Beau Webster (22 off 9) pulled off the most compelling chase in BBL10 and one to remember for the beleaguered club.
Earlier, an anchoring innings from Nick Larkin (61 not out) pushed the Stars to a competitive 6-158 on a tricky Marvel Stadium surface.
And after Shaun Marsh (1) and Aaron Finch (10) were both dismissed inside the first four overs of the chase, the Renegades looked down and out. Yet Harvey, whose innings featured six fours and two maximums, and Webster gave their side a third win of the season in incredible fashion.
The Renegades required six runs from the final six deliveries, which Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell gave to Liam Hatcher.
Harvey and Webster scrambled for three singles off the first three balls.
But with three required from three, Webster sealed the win with a crunching stroke through wide long-on and stood mid-pitch, fist pumping to a pumped-up Marvel Stadium crowd.
Earlier, Nathan CoulterNile’s return from a calf strain didn’t start as he might have hoped, cleaned up first ball after being promoted to number four for the Stars.
But when given the chance with the ball he made an immediate impact, executing a brilliant off-cutter to take West Australian teammate Shaun Marsh’s off stump. It’s hard not to feel for Renegades skipper Finch, who seems to be inventing news ways to get out this BBL season.
This time, looking to sweep spinner Zahir Khan, the ball gripped on the underside of his thigh guard and limply rolled onto the stumps.It was Finch’s seventh straight innings dismissed for less than 20.
“That’s one of the most unlucky dismissals you could have,” Mike Hussey said on Fox Cricket. “He’s just having one of those runs, Finch. He cannot believe it.”
The Renegades night didn’t start in the greatest fashion when they had to rule out Kane Richardson for the rest of the campaign with a quad strain.
But in better news, Test opener Marcus Harris will reportedly be available for the Renegades’ next clash, against the Heat on Saturday.