Twitter Reactions: Perth Scorchers edge out Renegades in an exciting last over chase

Ashton Agar celebrates with teammate Sam Whitman of the Perth Scorchers after hitting a 6 on the final ball. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Aston Agar held his nerves in the last over to get 3 off 1 ball in style with a winning six off part-timer bowler Aaron Finch to help Perth Scorchers edge out Melbourne Renegades by 4 wickets in the 9th match of the Big Bash League 2016/17.

Batting first, the Renegades were able to post only 148/8 on the board as the top order failed to capitalise on the start they were able to get. But, the functional batting performance did not stop them from challenging the Scorchers as the bowlers bowled exceptional to produce a thriller.

Neck to neck competition between bat and ball in the second innings saw the Renegades stretch the match till the last over. Perth Scorchers, chasing 149 runs to win, were cruising smoothly towards a win with the help of Michael Klinger smashing a pivotal 71 run knock off just 55 balls. Ian Bell (22 from 19 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (34 from 22 balls) also supported Klinger effort with useful cameos.

However, the Renegades bowlers, despite not being able to inflict any big strike in the first 10 overs of the second innings, stayed optimistic and bowled economical lines and kept the game alive. The game began to turn even more interesting in the finals over and eventually all the action was brought down to the last over.

Klinger was batting with an intent of finishing the match all but himself. He was on the course of doing that as well. However, renegades found a breakthrough in the 18th over when Narine succeeded in flummoxing him into give a simple catch off the leading edge and add spice in the match. After a tight penultimate over by Rimmington, skipper Aaron Finch decided to bowl the last over with the equation reading 9 off 6 deliveries.

Finchy was successful in bringing the match close with two dismissals in the space of the first three balls. Marsh’s big heave off the second delivery could not clear the ropes and landed into the hand of the Cooper while Voges got himself run out off the next ball when Finch ran across swiftly to hit the stumps perfectly and catch the batsman short of his crease.

With three need off the last ball, Finch committed a huge blunder by bowling a full toss which was effectively smashed on the leg side for a huge six.

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