Melbourne [Australia]: Melbourne Renegades clinched their maiden Big Bash League title after defeating Melbourne Stars by 13 runs in a thrilling final match here at the Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a total of 146 runs, Stars were cruising to an easy victory with 93 runs on the board and all the 10 wickets in hand. But the things took a dramatic turn as Cameron Boyce, Chris Tremain and Dan Christian picked two wickets each to shatter the opposition batting order and register a dramatic victory in the end.
Stars openers Ben Dunk and Marcus Stoinis stitched a solid partnership of 93 runs to give their side a strong start and a platform for a simple chase. But after the departure of Dunk (57), Stars could not keep things steady and lost some quick wickets.
Once in a comfortable position, Stars were now struggling at 99 for 4. With things slipping out of the hand, Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell walked to the crease and was expected to sail his side through the difficult situation. Unfortunately, the same did not happen on the day as Maxwell get dismissed at the score of 1.
The Stars batting order continued to collapse as Nic Maddinson (6), Seb Gotch (2) and Dwayne Bravo (3) failed to make a mark.
Adam Zampa played an unbeaten knock of 17 runs but that was not enough as no other player could manage to stay on the crease longer.
Earlier batting first, Melbourne Renegades did not get best of the start to their innings but they managed to reach a respectable total of 145 runs after lower-order batsmen Tom Cooper and Dan Christian played an innings of 43 and 38 respectively.
Christian was adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round performance in the final clash.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]