Melbourne Stars have continued the Renegades’ winless BBL season of woe, a brilliant half-century by Glenn Maxwell propelling the ladder leaders to a seven-wicket win over the reigning champions.
In their first meeting at Marvel Stadium since last season’s final, the Renegades made 7-168 after being sent, Shaun Marsh top-scoring with 63.
The Stars were struggling at 3-54 in reply before masterful Maxwell blasted 83 from 45 balls, including seven sixes, to consign the Renegades to a dismal 0-8 record.
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Needing six runs to win with nine balls remaining, Maxwell finished the contest in fine style, belting stand-in skipper Dan Christian over the fence for his seventh sixth.
The Stars lost tournament leading run scorer Marcus Stoinis for a duck in the first over, with Ben Dunk (14) also going cheaply, but Maxwell combined with Nick Larkin (33) for a match-winning 115-run partnership.
The win keeps the Stars on top of the table, improving their record to seven wins and one loss.
Earlier, Marsh set up the home side’s innings.
With captain and regular opener Aaron Finch away with the Australian ODI team, Marsh was elevated to the top of the order for the first time this season.
The move paid off handsomely as he made 63 from 43 balls, including two sixes and seven fours, and shared an 86-run opening partnership with Marcus Harris (42).
Marsh’s impressive innings, his biggest score this BBL campaign, came to an end when he scooped the easiest of return catches to Sandeep Lamichhane (2-39 from four overs).
The Renegades looked on target to surpass their season-high total of 185, but they lost 5-22 from the last four overs.
Man-of-the-moment Haris Rauf (1-25) took his overall wicket tally to 14, the Pakistani quick conceding just two runs off the last over of the innings.
-AAP
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