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

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