Maddo back from the dead to haunt the Heat
CONFUSION and luck was Nic Maddinson’s take on a bizarre non-dismissal that punctuated a matchwinning effort for the Melbourne Renegades against the Heat in Cairns on Thursday.
The Renegades captain pounded 87 to lift his team, which has finished last for three straight seasons, to a crucial opening win but only after he nearly walked on 42 when the zing bails dislodged and the stumps lit up after Maddinson played a pull shot.
As he made his way off the arena, TV replays showed that none of his bat, foot or ball caused the bail to dislodge, and he was recalled to continue an innings that he hopes could start a Renegades resurgence.
“I went to play a pull shot to a slower ball and I was quite deep in the crease. The next minute the bail’s come off and they’ve celebrated,” Maddinson said after the game. “It was a bit confusing but I’m lucky I got to stay out there.’’
Maddinson had only faced 26 balls but was 42 at the time of the baffling incident. He revealed that being upfront and aggressive was the brand of cricket he was demanding from the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL this summer as the club aimed to rise from the ashes of three straight wooden spoons.
And the skipper led from the front with a matchwinning and career-best knock in the Renegades’ 22-run win over Brisbane on Thursday night.
The Renegades host the Sydney Thunder in their first home game at Marvel Stadium on Sunday before facing Brisbane the following Wednesday in Geelong.
Maddison said the newlook Renegades needed to keep delivering.
“The new recruits (Akeal Hosein, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Andre Russell) are settling in and we expect a lot out of them,’’ he said.