BBL 5 Match 27 Review: Renegades hunt down a challenging target

Sydney Thunders just did not possess enough firepower to prevent Renegades’ power-packed batting from gunning the target down. Cameron White (61 from 46 balls) and Dwayne Bravo (47 from 24 balls) starred for the Melbourne Renegades as they chased down the target of 174 put forward by Thunders.

Chris Gayle started off the chase breezily with Tom Cooper. However, he could not stay in the middle for very long as he was dismissed by Clint McKay. Cooper (25 from 17 balls) continued batting well but was also dismissed soon. But the fall of Cooper did not affect the chase in any manner as Cameron White and Dwayne Bravo then put up a match-winning partnership of 91 runs to seal the game in favor of their team. The pair could be removed only in the 18th overs as they were made to depart by Andre Russell in the space of 3 deliveries. However, the job was done by now as the Renegades required only 10 from the last two overs. Peter Nevill and Ben McDermott finished the rest of the work.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sydney Thunder started off really well.  Veteran Jacque Kallis and Usman Khawaja built a 61 runs opening partnership at a healthy run rate to set the platform for other to cash in. Kallis was made to depart in the 7th overs after he nicked one to wicket keeper Peter Nevill off Cooper. Next batsman in was Shane Watson who along with Khawaja batted aggressively. The Thunders’ scoreboard was flourishing. However, Khawaja (62 from 42) was dismissed in the 14 overs to put an end to the flourish. Andre Russell (16 from 9 balls) played short but useful cameos but was unfortunate to have got hit wicket by Rimmington.  Russell could not connect a bouncer from Nathan Rimmington in the left shoulder as he attempted a hook shot. Russell swung the bat hard but lost balance and fell backwards on to his wicket.

Shane Watson (62 from 43 balls) continued in the same manner with Michael Hussey (13 from 12 balls) to take the Thunders total to 173/ in 20 overs. The Thunders could have added few more runs to their total but Dwayne Bravo twin strikes off the last two deliveries in the 20 overs did not allow that to happen.

This loss has virtually ended Thunders hopes of proceeding to the further stages. A victory would have seen the Thunder secure their first-ever berth into the knockout stage of the Big Bash League.

Brief Scores:

Sydney Thunders: 173/5 in 20 overs (Khawaja 62; Bravo 2/26)

Melbourne Renegades: 176/5 in 19.2 overs (White 61; Russell 2/42)

Man of the Match: Cameron White