Captain Nic Maddinson returned and Australian cricketing royalty Shaun Marsh suited up in Red for the first time this season, two very welcome inclusions for the Gades.
SOS 😍
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 3, 2022
How about those stats 👀#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/V4GTLqsHuw
After the Stars elected to bat first, it was the skipper Maddinson who wreaked havoc early, dismantling the Stars top order on his way to figures of 3/20 off his four overs.
English quick Reece Topley (3/27 off four overs) removed the dangerous Glenn Maxwell and the wickets crumbled around him – the Stars delicately poised on 6/72.
The derby was possibly Topley’s best game for the Renegades so far and he has now taken five wickets in his past two completed matches.
Despite a fightback from the Zimbabwean-born Hilton Cartwright (41 off 29), Kane Richardson (3/24 off four overs) made light work of the Stars tail as the Renegades bowled their rivals out for 126 runs.
Richardson also bowled the first wicket maiden in the power surge for the tournament. His variations and skill were tough to read for the Stars batters who were looking to increase the run rate.
Maddo, Richo & Toppers sharing the honours with 3 wickets each.
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 3, 2022
A comprehensive display with the ball, now to back it up with the bat 👊#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/iS8A0H1EXV
The low total meant that Maxwell was aggressive with his captaincy in the field, using Qais Ahmad (1/33 off four overs) in the powerplay to try to take some early wickets.
Sam Harper fell early but a 63-run stand from experienced pair Aaron Finch (50 offf 40) and Shaun Marsh (21 off 17) laid the platform for the Renegades, as the two wise heads guided the Renegades through the middle overs.
Finchy goes WHACK down the ground 💥
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 3, 2022
What a clean strike!#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/tejWghi1tU
Gades duo Mackenzie Harvey (23* off 25) and James Seymour (17* off 14) finished the job off with two overs to spare, achieving the Renegades second win of the season.
The Renegades are back in action on Thursday to take on the Brisbane Heat at GMHBA Stadium.