GEELONG: A combined bowling effort, followed by Tim Seifert’s unbeaten knock, led Melbourne Renegades to a resounding six-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the fifth match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024 here at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday.
Seeded first, the Hurricanes’ batting unit reeled in a meager 74 in 12.4 overs, thanks to a combined effort from their pacers.
Leading the way for the home team was Will Sutherland, who took three wickets for just 14 runs in three overs, while fellow speedsters Fergus O’Neill and Tom Rogers were equally impressive, taking three scalps each.
The Hurricanes’ remaining wicket belonged to leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who conceded just 17 runs in his 1.4 overs.
Skipper Nathan Ellis fought a lone battle for the Hurricanes with his courageous 35 off 29 deliveries and remained the top scorer.
Apart from him, only top-order batsmen Shai Hope (13) and Mitchell Owen (10) managed to accumulate double figures while the rest of the Hurricanes’ batsmen struggled against the pace-laden bowling attack of the Renegades.
In response, the Renegades comfortably won the winning runs, losing just four wickets and 66 balls to spare, thanks to a sensible knock from Seifert.
The wicketkeeper-batsman top-scored for the Renegades in the chase with 37 off 19 deliveries, studded with four fours and two sixes.
He was also involved in a match-defining 41-run partnership with opening batsman Josh Brown, who made 13 off 11 cautious balls.
Ellis also led the Hurricanes on the bowling front, taking two wickets for 12 runs in his three overs, while Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake contributed one wicket each.
The six-wicket win took the Melbourne Renegades to the top of the BBL 2024 standings with two points from two matches, while the Hobart Hurricanes succumbed to bottom place.
