Renegades halt the Canes' winning run

The match in a tweet: Renegades roll the Canes to snap three-game losing run as Finch and Richardson show their class #BBL|08

The score: Hobart Hurricanes 5-145 (Bailey 70no, McDermott 50; Richardson 3-38) lost to Melbourne Renegades 4-150 (Finch 42, Harper 32; Rose 1-15) by six wickets with four balls remaining 

The hero: Kane Richardson continued his fine KFC BBL form for Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium after he was overlooked for selection in Australia’s ODI squad for the coming series against India. Richardson collected 3-38 from four overs and, while he was expensive late in the innings, he dismantled Hobart Hurricanes’ top order by claiming the wickets of Matthew Wade and Alex Doolan with consecutive deliveries in the second over of the match. He then returned to dismiss Simon Milenko, giving him nine wickets from four games at the Renegades home ground in BBL|08. The Renegades snapped a three-game losing run and inflicted the Hurricanes’ first loss of the season.

The supporting cast: In his first BBL game of the summer after duties with Australia’s Test side, Renegades skipper Aaron Finch produced an important 42 at the top of the order at Marvel Stadium, which has proven a tough venue for batsmen this tournament. Before he was run out (more on that below), Finch hit three boundaries and a six and combined with No.3 Sam Harper (32) for a 64-run stand for the second wicket. Australia’s ODI skipper, who is the third highest run-scorer in BBL history, will now return to national duties. Experienced pair Mohammad Nabi (26 not out) and Dan Christian (25 not out) finished the job with aplomb, with Nabi smacking a six to seal victory.

The consolation act: George Bailey has been in solid form in BBL|08, but he has filled a role as a finisher with the in-form opening combination of D’Arcy Short and Matthew Wade setting a strong platform at the top of the order. But after the Hurricanes slipped to 3-11 after being sent in to bat, they needed someone to take control. Enter Bailey, who smacked a brilliant 70no from 53 balls under pressure, with his knock featuring half-a-dozen boundaries and two sixes. His exquisite off-drive for six off Richardson to start the 17th over was a shot of the highest order.

The run out: Johan Botha produced a piece of magic at short fine leg to run out Renegades skipper and dangerman Finch for 42. 

The big moment: Left-arm Pakistani paceman Usman Shinwari grabbed the big wicket of gun Hurricanes opener Short in the third over of the match after the star left-hander failed to negotiate a short ball. But the standing umpire initially gave Short not out, much to the disappointment of the Renegades, but last season’s leading run-scorer opted to walk, with opposing captain Finch expressing his appreciation. After scores of 67, 34, 58, 34 and 64 to start the tournament, dismissing Short for just two represented a sizeable bonus for the home side as the Hurricanes slipped to 3-11.

The drop: Shinwari dropped a straightforward offering from Bailey at short fine leg when the right-hander was on just 17. It proved a costly let-off.

The partnership: You could not blame the Renegades for feeling a sense of deja vu after the 102-run stand between Bailey and Ben McDermott, who contributed 50 from 43 balls. The pair have tormented the Renegades before, combining for a 151-run partnership – a BBL record for the third wicket – at the same venue in 2017. 

The next stops: The Renegades will next take on Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Thursday, while the Hurricanes have a six-day break before facing Melbourne Stars at the MCG next Monday.

Renegades XI: Aaron Finch (c), Mackenzie Harvey, Sam Harper (wk), Tom Cooper, Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Dan Christian, Jack Wildermuth, Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson, Usman Shinwari

Hurricanes XI: D'Arcy Short, Matthew Wade (c/wk), Alex Doolan, Ben McDermott, George Bailey, Simon Milenko, James Faulkner, Johan Botha, Jofra Archer, Clive Rose, Riley Meredith