A couple of days of break later, the Big Bash League will see the Melbourne Renegades looking to extend their stay in the tournament when they take on the hapless Sydney Thunder tonight. Join us for live scores from 7.40pm AEDT.
At around this stage last season, the Renegades were all but through to the semi-finals of the competition while the Thunder were in a situation no different.
Aaron Finch’s batting had fired the Renegades to four wins from their five games while the Thunder were on their way to winning nothing in the competition.
Now, the Renegades are on only four points and in a dire need of at least two wins from their remaining three matches while the Thunder have quickly reached that stage where all they can do is to go out there and have fun. And try to win at least one.
The Renegades will be bolstered for this game by the return of Finch and James Pattinson, both of whom have been released by Cricket Australia to play this one before they move back to the Australian ODI team for their second match against England.
And with the Renegades playing their last couple of games around the same time when Australia take on England in their second and third ODI, there is every chance they will lose the duo yet again and for games against the Sixers and the Strikers.
What does that translate into?
The team from Melbourne need to win this one without fail to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the last-four and expect them to come out all guns blazing.
Unfortunately for the Thunder, the board hasn’t sanctioned the release of either Michael Clarke or David Warner, leaving the team quite short on star power. The lack of experience in both, their batting and bowling, has been shown up and captain Michael Hussey’s solo efforts have gone unrewarded.
Well, there is something to cheer for the Thunder fans though. Swashbuckling Sri Lankan opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has been brought into the 13-man squad and while a late fitness test will decide on his selection in the XI, his presence could act as a confidence-trigger.
The signs, however, haven’t been great from the Thunder, who, after running their opponents close in their opening four games, have been brushed aside with a lot of disdain in their next two.
The question is whether the Renegades can push their opponents’ losing streak to 20 games or if Hussey, Dilshan, Dirk Nannes and co. will pull one back for the Thunder.
Join us for the Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder match in the Big Bash League 2013-14 on Tuesday and you can follow the live score of this game from 7.40pm AEDT and post your comments below.
The Bleat
Guest
It's for a children's charity called Zaidee's Rainbow, hence the rainbow coloured grip.
Khawarmy Khawarmy
Roar Pro
WE"RE BACK BABY
Praveen
Guest
He Handled spin really well in this game, same was pointed out by punter and Waugh in commentary, credit to khawaja
Praveen
Guest
How well did khawaja and Dilshan bat, always said that thunder need more batting firepower and then they can win
jamesb
Guest
Congrats to the Thunder There should be a public holiday tomorrow because of it.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That's it from me, but I will be back for tomorrow's absolutely crucial match between the Sixers and the Hurricanes. Thank you for following this blog and have a good day/evening ahead.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That's an excellent finish for the Thunder. They bowled like champions and bowled the Renegades out for an underwhelming score before not allowing the Renegades a chance with the bat. Sandhu bagged three wickets, Mendis got a couple before Dilshan and Khawaja saw the side through to a convincing victory. What this does to the Renegades is that it pushes them into a corner - they not only need to win their last two games but also pray for some other results going their way and up their net run-rate. Sounds like a difficult proposition.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A win at long last for the Thunder! That's more than 700 days and 20 games since that last happened for the Thunder and they have managed to do that convincingly...! The Thunder beat the Renegades by nine wickets with more than eight overs to spare! It's Hussey who has tucked one to the leg-side to bring up the win.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And four more! Hussey has cracked one through extra-cover to bring the target down to two. 1/103 in 11, Fawad's conceded 28 in two.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Ahmed, who conceded 16 in his first over, has his fielders up inside the circle. And first Hussey and then Khawaja who drives it through the covers, the first for three and then to the fence. 1/99 in the 11th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Michael Hussey has come out to the middle at three. 1/91 in 10
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Out! Dilshan's gone! One of the rare mis-hits from Dilshan and it's gone to hands at mid-on, who had back-pedal a little, takes a decent catch. 1/89 in the 10th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
This is going to get over quickly... ...short of length from Pattinson in his return over and Dilshan has cracked it over the deep square-leg fence for a SIX! What this is doing is denting the Renegades net run-rate too. 16 needed.
fishes
Guest
That was out. Umpiring in the BBL this year has been amateur. DRS is needed
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Missed! Stumping chance... ...Nevill has fluffed up his lines there. Dilshan was looking to go down the track and missed a straight one, probably expecting it to turn away but it looked like even the keeper thought the same. Batsman misses, keeper misses and Dilshan survives. Celebrates that life with a sweep that's rushed away to the fence. And then jumps down the pitch and smokes it down the ground for another four! 0/81 in the 9th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Another huge shout for an lbw and for the second time this over, it's negated. This was against Dilshan, Murali's former Sri Lankan teammate. Replays suggest it was hitting marginally in line and would have gone on to hit! 0/71 in 8.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Muralitharan has come back on for his second. An appeal for lbw first ball but easily not-out. Everyone was getting excited... ...single off the second ball to Khawaja before Dilshan tucks it to long-on for one. 0/69 in 7.3
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
With the Powerplay overs up, it's back to conventional milking the bowling, and they easily get six runs in the over. 0/67 in 7
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Where was THIS Thunder? Of course, Dilshan was injured but what about the bowling...and the intent at the top? The only time they batted like this was in their opener against the Sixers. And I don't remember them bowling this well all tournament. O'Brien has been brought in now.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Fawad Ahmed comes on for his first ball in the competition. Dilshan has swept him away for a single first ball. Next ball, Khawaja late cuts it through the third-man region for three... ...and then Dilshan smashes one over mid-on for a four! And another one now, drilled through the covers for the second in a row. He attempts a third such shot but is beaten before scooting down the track to smash the third four over mid-wicket! 16 off the over and the Thunder are running away towards the target. It's the Powerplay overs and it won't be too easy for the bowler, bowling his first over in the tournament at an Asian batsman. 0/60 in 6