After a loss in their opening game, the Perth Scorchers travel to Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium to take on the Melbourne Renegades in the seventh Big Bash League 2011-12 game on Thursday. We’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action throughout the opening game, with the match starting at 7.00 pm ADST time on December 21.
The Scorchers needed to score only 141 to notch up their first points in their opener. They fell away 31 runs short but the game was over when they lost half their side for 44.
Their two foreign players, Herschelle Gibbs and Paul Collingwood, showed signs of rustiness and managed only six runs between them.
Mitchell Marsh’s late assault wasn’t enough as the side crashed to Ben Hilfenhaus and Naved-ul-Hasan Rana.
The hosts for this game, Melbourne Renegades had a worse start.
First they allowed the Adelaide Strikers to get away to a mountainous 189. Then, only three of their top-order players managed to get into double figures as they capitulated to a shoddy 122 all out.
It is the most one-sided result of the season so far.
So when the two sides, the Scorchers and Renegades meet at the Etihad Stadium, it is not only their first points that will be at stake. Better effort with the bat and ball will be expected from both teams as well.
Perth will be without Michael Hussey, who returns to the preparatory camp for the Boxing Day Test against India.
His place could well be taken by Shaun Marsh, who will look to use this game to test his fitness ahead of the Melbourne Test. The management may allow Marsh to open the innings and push Marcus North down the order.
The Renegades will need to re-look at their bowling tactics.
Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes are both fast but equally quick off the bat. With more teams discovering the value behind taking the pace off the ball, it may not be such a bad idea to have someone like Glen Maxwell or even Afridi take the new ball.
Again, batting Afridi at four is a couple spots too high. Captain Andrew McDonald will do well to rope in an extra batsman but it could depend on whether Brad Hodge is fit.
If Hodge is still injured, McDonald could push himself up the order. Nothing like the captain leading from the front.
The Scorchers should have an edge going into the game but Renegades’ home advantage should help.
We will bring you the coverage throughout the game at the Etihad in Melbourne and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Apparently over 13k turned up.
legside
Guest
Did anybody turn up to this match at the sporting capital of the universe?
Pete
Guest
Warner Cowan Marsh that's what we've been looking for these last few years
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
189 was a difficult chase but Shaun Marsh's 99 followed Herschelle Gibbs' 57 to lead the visitors to a win. This means that Melbourne Renegades have played two and lost both the games. They would have thought they had enough on the board after Aaron Finch scored 49 and Andrew McDonald made 50. But Shahid Afridi's inability to control the flow of runs, something he is absolutely good at, a dropped catch off both, Marsh and Gibbs and some excellent running between the wickets won it for Perth.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
If ever there was a doubt about his place, this knock has cleared it all.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
SIX!!! That is the end of the match. Needed three and Marsh smashes it over the bowler's head for a six to win it for the Scorchers. Marsh ends unbeaten 99 but he will be happier for his team's win and his own fitness. India need to beware of this man, come the Boxing Day!
Rhys
Guest
S. Marsh at No.3 for Boxing Day.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Slower ball at 89.6km/hr from Razzaq. He is doing a slower bowler's job alright. Single. Three off five needed
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Razzaq will bowl the 20th over. Or some part of it anyway.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
FOUR!!! That should seal it! Smashed a full-toss to the cover region where the fielder had no chance to get near the ball. Four needed from the last over and this could be a good time to throw the ball to a slower bowler.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Marsh gets the yorker over the bowler's head for a couple of runs. Eight needed off seven.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Another single off Tait - the Perth batsmen not taking any undue risks off the quickie. 10 from eight needed.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Single to Marsh. 11 from 9 needed but with eight wickets standing.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Full-toss, no-ball for over-stepping and a single to boot. 12 needed off 10 and a free hit.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Ronchi clears the feet and hits it over the in-field. A couple for Ronchi. 14 from 10 needed.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Single off a full-toss to the off side. Tait's the bowler. 16 off 11 needed. Ronchi is on three off six balls.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
11 runs off that Harwood over and 17 needed from 12 balls. Marsh's on strike
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
...and a four cut away to point and the pressure is suddenly off. 84 for Marsh!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
SIX!!! Under pressure against a good bowler, Marsh slogs Harwood over mid-wicket.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A single, two dots, a two, two singles and it is 28 needed from three overs. Pressure mounts just that little bit on Perth. Melbourne will be gunning for Marsh's wicket.