STR VS REN MATCH 18

Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. The action in the Big Bash League will continue on 30th December where Sydney Thunder will be taking on Sydney Sixers in match number 19 of this campaign. The first ball will be at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). As you know you can join us early for the build-up. Take care and goodbye!

Jake Fraser-McGurk is the player of the match. He says that he was nervous at the end but stoked to get their first win. Adds that he is not sure about Joe Clarke’s injury but hopes that he is well. Shares that Shaun Marsh plays a massive role to stabilize the innings in the middle order. Adds that he has always had the belief and the results are coming on for him now. Mentions that he enjoys hitting sixes and it’s a great feeling. Ends by saying that he is happy to get the first win of the season.

Adelaide Strikers were in some kind of trouble with the bat in hand, although the knock from Jamie Overton helped them to add some impetus on the scoreboard. At least, get above the average score that is expected on this venue. Strikers needed an early breakthrough and they managed to get off to a positive note by getting rid of Quinton de Kock on a golden duck, but the bowlers could not ride the momentum and failed to keep the run flow in check thereafter. They got some wickets in the second half of the innings but it was a little to late to destruct the progress of Melbourne Renegades.

Phew! What an innings from the hosts. They made 178 look like an under par score. All thanks to the knock of 37-ball 70 from Jake Fraser-McGurk. He single-handedly made sure to not let that early wicket of Quinton de Kock hurt them a lot. Jake Fraser-McGurk was a vital clog of this innings. He got some good support in Joe Clarke and Shaun Marsh, although the former had to walk off the field due to an injury. The latter though stuck around till the very end to make sure that they continue to have a firm grip in this run chase and eventually grab 2 important points in this campaign. Eventually, Joe Clarke came back on the field in the 17th over to help his side closer to the victory line.

Melbourne Renegades win their first game of the campaign and now have a reason to celebrate the New Year on a good note. Hopefully, the new year brings new fortunes for the team in red. Adelaide Strikers though should not overhtink about this defeat, they somehow managed to get a competitive total on the scoreboard but their bowlers could not bring their A-game.

Rogers hits the winning runs. Pitched up full and at the stumps. Rogers makes room and lifts it over the infield and down the ground. Melbourne Renegades get their first win of the season and they get over the line by 4 wickets with 8 balls left. A pretty convincing win in front of their home fans.

Full-length delivery on the middle and leg. Rogers bunts it to silly mid on.

Tom Rogers walks out to bat now. Also, Joe Clarke has retired himself. In comes Adam Zampa in place of Clarke.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Shaun Marsh fails to hit the winning runs. Full and straight yorker length delivery on the middle and leg. Marsh plays across the line and the ball sneaks through and cannons into the base of the leg stump. An outstanding knock from Shaun Marsh comes to an end.

Slower length ball down the leg. Marsh pulls it to short fine leg for none.

Back of a length at the stumps. Clarke backs away and slaps it back at Overton.

WIDE! Slower bumper angled into the middle and leg. Clarke makes room for the uppercut but fails to connect. Wide signaled.

Full-length delivery on off. Clarke makes room and drills it to mid off.

Back of a length angled in and goes over the top of the stumps as Clarke pulls and misses this one.

FOUR! Excellent Placement! Low full toss down the leg. Clarke times it nicely to the deep square leg region for a boundary.

Length delivery outside off. Clarke dabs it to backward point.

Yorker length delivery on the middle and leg. Marsh squeezes it through backward point for a single.