Twitter Reactions: Melbourne Renegades snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the final showdown

Melbourne Stars and Renegades played out a heart-racing final of this edition’s Big Bash League (BBL) at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. The former dominated the Red Army for a chunk of the contest, but the team, led by Glenn Maxwell, faltered in the second half of the run chase. The Renegades found themselves in trouble, but managed to win the match by 13 runs and therefore the championship.

Cooper and Christian bring back sanity

After being put in to bat first by the Stars, the hosts didn’t get off to the best of starts as they lost Marcus Harris in the second over. Sam Harper couldn’t perform and became Jackson Bird’s second wicket. Aaron Finch succumbed to a horrendous run-out. Cameron White found the boundary a couple of times and he was trapped in front by Adam Zampa. Marcus Harris was the fifth wicket to fall.

Thereafter, Tom Cooper and Daniel Christian took charge and made sure that the Renegades post a competitive score of 145 for five in 20 overs. Cooper was a tad slow to start with, but he pressed the accelerator to remain not out on 43 runs from 35 balls with two fours and as many sixes. Christian contributed with 38 runs with two fours and a six. Bird and Zampa picked up two wickets each.

A shambolic batting-collapse

Ben Dunk and Marcus Stoinis got the Stars off to an incredible start. The duo added 93 runs for the first wicket in 13 overs and the stand put their team on the driver’s seat. Stoinis played a responsible knock and churned out 39 runs from 38 balls with two fours and a six. Dunk was the more aggressive of the two and he accomplished his half-century in 38 balls. Cameron Boyce removed both Stoinis and Dunk.

Following the partnership, the Stars committed hara-kiri and lost seven wickets for 19 runs. Chris Tremain nipped out Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession to bring the game into the balance. The Stars lost their way and lost wickets too quickly. With 26 needed in the last over, Adam Zampa spanked a couple to the boundary, but that wasn’t enough to get the stars over the line.

Here is how Twitter expressed its opinion

what just happened @RenegadesBBL

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 17, 2019

Just shows that when you think things are too far gone, good teams find a way to win. Congratulations to @RenegadesBBL on winning their first @BBL title. @danchristian54 is certainly the man!! #BBL08

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) February 17, 2019

FFS, @StarsBBL 😢😭😢😭

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) February 17, 2019

7 for 19 in a final, is the last thing you want in a game chasing 146, let alone a final. What a choke, Stars. #BBL

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 17, 2019

The Renegades are the #BBL08 Champions
50s scored in #BBL08
18: Hurricanes
17:
16:
15:
14: Heat
13: Sixers
12:
11: Strikers
10: Thunder, Scorchers, Stars
9:
8:
7:
6:
5:
4:
3: RENEGADES
@RenegadesBBL @BBL

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) February 17, 2019

What a moment for the Melbourne Renegades!

📺 Watch LIVE on Fox Cricket & 📰 join our blog: https://t.co/ZZsunVv7DX #BBLFinal pic.twitter.com/lBHSRCILeS

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 17, 2019

From SL chasing down 304 from 226/9 in SA to the Melbourne Stars asphyxiating from 93/0 to 132/7 today to lose the #BBLFinals, cricket's seen a lot over the last 20 hours.#SAvSL #BBL08

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) February 17, 2019

Head down to your local Bunnings.

Grab a paint brush, some red paint, because geee it's time to paint the town. #GETONRED #BBL08

— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) February 17, 2019

Rollercoaster!

In the last 24 hours I’ve won money backing Sri Lanka … and lost money backing the Stars. #BBLFinal #SAvSL

— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) February 17, 2019

Never in doubt. #GetOnRed

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) February 17, 2019

Congratulations @RenegadesBBL.
Amazing BBL08 Final. Enjoy the celebrations.#RenegadesvStars #BBL08Final

— Jason Gillespie 🌱🌈 (@dizzy259) February 17, 2019

W1.W1..1..12WW1.1..lb2211WW211W

7 wickets. 19 runs. 30 balls. 1 epic collapse pic.twitter.com/meSzWcL7KC

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 17, 2019

How do you go from 93/0 to 132/7 when chasing 146? 🤔#BBLFinal

— Jamie Alter (@alter_jamie) February 17, 2019

Congratulations #GETONRED #BBLO8

— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) February 17, 2019

Andrew McDonald will end up coaching a International team one day ….. #JustSaying #BigBash

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 17, 2019

Very likeable winners @RenegadesBBL @danchristian54 @andrewmcdonald4 @AaronFinch5 @CameronWhite152 EXPERIENCE

— Shaun Tait (@shaun_tait32) February 17, 2019

Sooooo rapt for the ‘men in red’ 👊🏻💥👏 @RenegadesBBL win of the Big Bash final at The G 😎 #loveaderbyfinale 😬

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) February 17, 2019

Thanks for your support this season #TeamGreen 💚💚 pic.twitter.com/NuRxHqDGsx

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) February 17, 2019

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