GEELONG: A combined bowling effort, followed by Tim Seifert’s unbeaten knock, led Melbourne Renegades to a resounding six-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the fifth match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024 here at the GMHBA Stadium on Thursday.
Put into bat first, the Hurricanes’ batting unit unfolded on a meagre 74 in 12.4 overs, thanks to a combined effort by their pacers.
Leading the way for the home side was Will Sutherland, who bagged three wickets for just 14 runs in three overs, while his fellow speedsters Fergus O'Neill and Tom Rogers were equally impressive, making three scalps apiece.
The remaining Hurricanes’ wicket belonged to senior leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who conceded just 17 runs in his 1.4 overs.
Skipper Nathan Ellis waged a lone battle for the Hurricanes with his gutsy 35 off 29 deliveries and remained the top-scorer.
Besides him, only top-order batters Shai Hope (13) and Mitchell Owen (10) could amass double figures, while the rest of the Hurricanes’ batters struggled against a pace-laden Renegades’ bowling attack.
In response, the Renegades comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just four wickets and 66 balls to spare, thanks to a sensible knock by Seifert.
The wicketkeeper batter top-scored for the Renegades in the run chase with a brisk 37 off 19 deliveries, studded with four fours and two sixes.
He was also involved in a match-defining 41-run partnership with opening batter Josh Brown, who made a cautious 13 off 11 balls.
Ellis led the Hurricanes on the bowling front as well, taking two wickets for 12 runs in his three overs, while Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake, chipped in with a wicket apiece.
The six-wicket victory lifted Melbourne Renegades to the top of the BBL 2024 standings with two points in two matches, while Hobart Hurricanes succumbed to the bottom.
