The Renegades beat a resoundingly understaffed Heat team, with half a century of veteran Shaun Marsh stealing the show.
Marsh and Australian T20 opener Aaron Finch teamed up to bring the Melbourne squad home, before a small meltdown saw four quick wickets fall before securing the victory.
The Renegades chased down the Heat’s 128 in 15 overs.
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38-year-old veteran Marsh entered the crease in the first round, hitting 57 of 35 balls after opener Sam Harper passed out.
The young gun stepped on his stumps, trying to get the ball to pass the keeper, only for him to crash into the middle stump.
“I don’t think he fits the top of the order,” commentator Brad Hodge said on Fox Sports coverage.
“I don’t think he gives his wicket enough price, I know he can be aggressive and get a good start for the team, but he’s struggling to get big scores and tonight doesn’t. exception.”
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Despite being outscored, 24-year-old newbie David Grant has shown promise and maturity beyond his years with the ball.
Finishing with an impressive 3-20 in four rounds, the young gun has shown he will make more than one appearance in the BBL.
The Heat hope to welcome some of their first squad contingent into the fold for their clash against the Hurricanes in two days, provided they complete their period of isolation.
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THE MARSH IN FRONT OF THE FRONT
Shaun Marsh showed his class, exploding a half-century of just 31 deliveries en route to give the Renegades a potential victory.
Marsh and Finch displayed brilliant poise and a brilliant hitting the ball, taking the Melbourne team to 1-67 in eight overs.
Currently, they need 58 out of 71 balls and should clinch a resounding victory over the Heat who have eight debutants in their XI.
HARPER’S BRAIN
Sam Harper was beaten for a duck by debutant David Grant, attempting to pass the ball over to the keeper.
Brad Hodge was scathing in his criticism of Harper saying “I don’t think he fits the top of the order.”
“I don’t think he gives his wicket enough price, I know he can be aggressive and get a good start for the team, but he’s struggling to get big scores and tonight doesn’t. exception.”
Veteran Shaun Marsh advanced to the crease, forming a formidable duet with Aaron Finch.
HEAT FAILURE TO FIRE
Mohammad Nabi brilliantly closed the innings for the Renegades, delivering for his team with impressive 2/20 numbers from his four overs, playing the 18th and 20th overs.
Zahir Khan showed his class at the top of the sleeves, finishing with 2/21 of his four sets.
Jake Lehmann played for the Heat, hitting 65 of 52 balls on his return to BBL.
The Heat will be disappointed with their total, sitting 4-98 in the 16th and ready for a late fireworks display.
A lack of experience shone in the Brisbane team’s death strike, with just one other batsman reaching 15 points.
The Heat will have a huge job to do defending the total, with a number of rookies expected to take the ball and deliver in their first appearance.
LEHMANN SHINES
Jake Lehmann exploded half a century on his return to BBL, playing smart innings, currently sitting on 53 of 44 balls.
The Heat are 4-98 in the 16th and are hoping to play a big game to close the sets.
Currently scoring at a pace of just over six by more, the Brisbane team are hoping to become important with six wickets in hand.
BREAKDOWN TO A TOTAL
The Heat progress to a solid total, sitting at 3-76 in the 13th.
Lehmann, the son of former Test coach Darren Lehmann, anchors the heats with a good 39 of 34 deliveries.
Seasoned Tom Cooper is new to the peloton, but hopes to grow big tonight as the team captain, leading forward.
Zahir Khan’s 2-21 in four rounds was crucial in limiting the Brisbane squad, but without the key pitcher the floodgates could open for the Heat.
CONSTRUCTION OF A HANDLE
The Heat have named eight newbies to their starting squad, including Pakistani rookie Fakhar Zaman, former Strikers players David Grant and Jake Lehmann and Queensland players Bryce Street, Will Prestwidge and Lachy Pfeffer.
But that didn’t stop them from getting off to a good start.
After nine overs, the Heat are at 2-54, ready to make a competitive total against Team Melbourne.
Jake Lehmann is building his innings, currently sitting on 21 of 20 balls while Sam Heazlett, one of the few players with BBL experience has 11 of 13 balls.
Heazlett will be relied on heavily to build a total for the Heat, having been part of the Brisbane squad setup for several years.
Zahir Khan was the bowlers’ pick, winning both wickets in three assists that lasted just 14 points.
PRE-MATCH WRAP
Aaron Finch will lead the Renegades in a crucial clash with an understaffed Brisbane Heat at GMHBA stadium, Geelong as Covid chaos engulfs the competition.
The Renegades won the toss and sent the weak Heat to bat.
The Brisbane team, fifth, currently has 15 players and support staff affected by a Covid outbreak on the squad, while the seventh Renegades must win to keep their slim final hopes.
MATCH CENTER: Renegades vs Heat scorecard, teams, videos, updates
The Renegades are coming off a big win over rivals across town, the Stars, while the Heat haven’t played since beating the Hurricanes on New Year’s Day.
Finch and Shaun Marsh will lead the Renegades charge with the stick, while Reece Topley and Kane Richardson have been in great shape with the ball.
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For the Heat, a number of young players will have the opportunity to impress on the big stage due to the number of players sidelined due to Covid isolation protocols, with 11 potential newbies on the squad .
Brisbane XI:
Jake Lehmann, Jack Clayton, Fakhar Zaman, Sam Heazlett, Tom Cooper (c), Lachlan Pfeffer (week), Steven McGiffin, Will Prestwidge, Ronan McDonald, David Grant, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Melbourne XI:
Sam Harper (week), Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Nic Maddinson (c), Mackenzie Harvey, James Seymour, Will Sutherland, James Pattinson, Kane Richardson, Zak Evans, Zahir Khan
This sets the stage for an intriguing win-win clash for both sides to kick off the BBL double header on Thursday night.
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