BBL 2016-17, Match 19 Review: Kevin Pietersen shines for Stars in the Melbourne Derby

Melbourne Stars kept their hopes of qualifying for the Semi-finals alive after beating Melbourne Renegades in the Melbourne Derby at the Docklands Ground in Melbourne today. It was a comprehensive performance by the Stars as they romped home by 46 runs. Former England star Kevin Pietersen was the top scorer for Stars with a quickfire 73 and comeback man Rob Quiney also laid the foundation for a big score with a fluent half-century. The Renegades was never in the match after they lost the first two wickets and it was an uphill task from thereon. They eventually finished their allotted 20 overs at the score of 154/9, thus handing a 46 runs victory over the Melbourne Stars.

Renegades’ captain Aaron Finch opted to field after winning the toss. Comeback man Rob Quiney and Luke Wright came out to face the chin music. The Renegades went off to a horrible start losing Wright in the 2nd over of the match. James Pattinson who also made a comeback bowled a short of length delivery as Wright attempted a pull. The ball took the outside half of the bat and was safely pouched by the mid-on fielder.

Kevin Pietersen joined Quiney in the middle and the veteran batsman started off with a humungous six in his very first ball. Quiney too struck a delightful six on the 3rd delivery of the same over. Boty the batsmen took on the opposition bowlers and found the gaps to perfection. Quinney raced to his half-century of a mere 30 balls but gave away his wickets moments after reaching the landmark. His innings of 51 contained 6 hits to the fence and 3 big sixes.

Pietersen on the other hand, continued even after Quiney’s dismissal and struck some delightful shots en route to his 46 balls 73. His innings contained 7 boundaries and 3 sixes. Glenn Maxwell who came to the crease at the fall of Quiney’s wicket also played well for his 17 balls 24 which included two boundaries. Kevin Pietersen was eventually dismissed after playing a terrific innings in the final delivery of the 17th over. David Hussey who came lower down the order struck a quickfire 11 balls 27 late in the innings to propel the Melbourne Stars to 200.

Chasing a stiff target to win, the Renegades began pretty well with Sunil Narine and Captain Aaron Finch opening the batting. Narine struck Michael Beer for a monstrous six in the 5th ball of the innings to set the things going. The more fancied opener Finch also joined in the fun by hitting Beer for a four and a six in the 3rd over. The ploy of opening with Narine didn’t succeed the 2nd time around as the wily off-spinner was dismissed in the 4th over by a short of length delivery from Scott Boland. Finch also fell in the same over after hitting Boland for a four and a six on the 2nd and 5th delivery of the over.

Cameron White struck some delightful shots during his innings of 38 but felt to press on the Launchpad when it mattered the most. Despite maintaining a brisk run rate, the Renegades kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was tottering at 99/6 at the end of the 13 overs. Most of the batsmen gave away their wickets in a bid to up the ante. There was no way back for the Renegades as they eventually lost the match by 46 runs.

While Cameron White was the top scorer for the Renegades with his 38, leggie Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers as far as the Stars were concerned. He returned with impressive figures of 3/19 in his allotted 4 overs.

Brief Scores 

Melbourne Stars 200/7 in 20 overs (Kevin Pietersen 73, Rob Quiney 51, James Pattinson 3/44)

Melbourne Renegades 154/9 in 20 overs (Cameron White 38, Adam Zampa 3/19)

Melbourne Stars won by 46 runs