Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades – Big Bash League, 2012/13 – Match Update – Renegades emerge triumphant by 5 wickets
A three-wicket haul from Aaron O’Brien set the Melbourne Renegades up nicely for their second consecutive victory in the ongoing Big Bash League – a 5-wicket win over Sydney Thunder, which propelled them to the top of the tournament points table, after a
fairly insipid competition at the Stadium http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in Sydney, on December 14.
Played out on a sluggish pitch, the game moved forward in a meandering fashion, with the Renegades having chosen to field first after winning the toss. Player of the Match O’Brien (3-0-15-3) led the team’s bowling attack, and was assisted primarily by Muttiah
Muralitharan (4-0-16-2). Together, they succeeded in keeping Thunder down to a final total of 116.
Sydney Thunder’s top-order put in mediocre performances, with the usually fiery http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729 (19) opening for the side with a 24-run partnership. Confused running led to the Jamaican hard-hitter’s dismissal via run out in the 5th
over, and Khawaja followed him back to the pavilion 4 overs later, trapped lbw by veteran spin wizard Muralitharan.
Mark Cosgrove (12) applied himself at the crease for a short period of time, but Thunder’s middle order underwent a complete collapse, and was unable to contribute anything significant to the team total. The 11th over resulted in the dismissals
of skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Cameron-Borgas-c1212 (5) made swift exits, leaving the team at 60 for 7.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ryan-Carters-c2386 (18*) and Chris Tremain (37*) ensured that the team did not collapse at a low total, and their unbroken 56-run stand lifted Thunder up to 116 by the end of 20 overs, at the expense of 7 wickets.
The Renegades were dealt two early blows as they embarked on their chase, with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ben-Rohrer-c1139 (27) teamed up for a 33-run partnership for
the third wicket. Finch was soon sent packing by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DP-Nannes-c1396), got the team up to 98 by the 15th over, after which he was run out
by Gayle.
However, all the Renegades now required were a few minor contributions from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/William-Sheridan-c2797 (12*), and they managed to reach 117 easily, with 5 wickets and 10 balls remaining.
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