H is for heroes
Those who carry the letter H reigned supreme with the bat when the Renegades walked out into the middle.
Sam Harper (63 runs off 52 deliveries) came to the crease on the third ball of the day and immediately set about his work, ramping Billy Stanlake to the boundary in the second over of the innings.
The wicket keeper held the innings together, facing 31 balls more than the next best Renegade, staying in until he was dismissed in the 18th over.
He was joined by Mackenzie Harvey (29 off 17) at the fall of the third wicket, with the pair adding 35 in quick time before Harvey was dismissed after crunching two sixes at a strike rate of 170.59.
Aside from the H pair, only Shaun Marsh (24 off 21) and Imad Wasim (15 off 14) reached double figures, but it was enough to ask some tricky questions of the Stars during the chase.
63 off 51. Three fours + a six.
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 17, 2021
Well batted, Sammy.#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/UhauQNZsrh
The Stars creep away
For the bulk of their 19.1 overs with the ball, the Renegades had themselves well in the contest.
Kane Richardson (2-24 off four overs) and Noor Ahmad (0-29 off four overs) bowled tidily, while part-timer Beau Webster (0-8 off two overs) mixed off-spin with medium pace.
Marcus Stoinis and Nick Larkin (43 off 32 respectively) each threatened to get off the chain, but were reeled in by Richardson and some fine catching in close and in the deep.
Glenn Maxwell (20 off 19) came and went, leaving Nic Maddinson (20 not out off 15) and Hilton Cartwright (12 not out off 6) to seal the deal.
But it wasn’t straightforward by any means, after Noor bowled a very tight penultimate over leaving the Stars needing four from the final six balls.
Unfortunately for the Renegades, Maddinson made light work of Imad Wasim’s (0-32) first and only ball of the over, dispatching it over the rope and ending proceedings with five balls to spare.
Impart the wisdom, did Richo.
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 17, 2021
Took the wicket, did Sutherland.#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/1n3JEhwGvf
What comes next?
Two Melbourne Derbies in four days? Yep, it’s happening. The Renegades are back on deck against the Stars at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday evening in front of their home fans for the first time in BBL|10.
Almost. Nearly.
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 17, 2021
Richo's face says it all.#FullTime | #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/pi9frYHGpU