Two teams try to get their first win on the board for the 2014-2015 season as the Melbourne Renegades travel to the Furnace to take on the Perth Scorchers this evening.
Shakib Al Hasan has joined the Renegades to replace the departing Andre Russell – off to South Africa for ODI duties in the next few days – but is not available for selection until their game against the Hurricanes on the 7th of January.
Peter Siddle will likely miss having been called to Melbourne for emergency duties. Nathan Rimmington is another out for the Renegades, while veteran spinner Brad Hogg is still unavailable for the Scorchers tonight because of injury.
While both sides lost their first outings, the manner in which they did so was considerably different. The Renegades put 3/100 on the board after 12 overs against the Sixers but then fell to pieces and could only muster 154 from that seemingly strong position. They’ll be looking for a more consistent batting performance tonight.
They’ll need it. Jason Behrendorff bowled a vicious and memorable spell against Adelaide, ending with 4/22 off his four overs. He was ably supported by the reliable Yasir Arafat and a miserly spell from Andrew Tye as the Scorchers lost in agonising fashion from a massive tail-end six in the last over from Strikers leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
KEY PLAYERS:
After a good hit-out in the exhibition match before the tournament proper began, Michael Carberry needs to bring the big shots out tonight. He struggled to 27 off 35 balls before he was dismissed, with the biggest indication of how desperate he was to smack one out of the park coming when he lost control of his bat during a wild swing.
It flung up in the air and ended a fair way behind him. Carberry is a good enough player in the shortest form to have a massive impact and an improvement would be a boon for the Scorchers at home.
The Renegades need a big knock to anchor their innings and they’ll also be looking to an opener to provide it. Aaron Finch scored 20 off 18 in their last game but has shown in the past he can take the game away in a few short overs with his strength and clean hitting. Their bowling was hardly spectacular in their first game but with the quality of their top 7 they can easily cover it if they fire. That starts with Finch.
Join us from 7:10pm AEDT for live scores of the match between the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades.
danced
Guest
Grr. Redbacks should've kept him..but he ain't getting younger I suppose.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Hoggy said he's been working on flighting the ball more like he does in the Shield. Paying dividends.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Arafat had some good death spells last season but he's been very ordinary this season. Carberry was meant to be half decent at T20 based on his form in the UK competition. But he can't play on the WACA, so not sure what JL was thinking there. Getting James Muirhead was a good move for the future too. Does he play for WA in the Shield now too?
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
How good has Klinger been?
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Haha! He doesn't know his domestic cricket does he. Harris is much better in the BBL than the Shield this year. Hopefully is form picks up in the second half of the Shield.
Don Freo
Guest
Such gutsy bowling by Agar. The boy is never intimidated, never defensive.
Don Freo
Guest
"The visitors without Nathan Rimmington, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle for those interested."... The Scorchers without the Marsh brothers, NCN, Joel Paris and Brad Hogg...for those interested in balance.
Don Freo
Guest
Amen to that. Arafat is worse. We just do not need International imports...especially when they are not drawcards. Locals are better and more interesting to watch. Give me Cartwright over Arafat and Bosisto or Jarryn Morgan over Carberry.
Don Freo
Guest
Behrendorff's domestic figures are better than Starc's domestic figures. Imagine how much better his international figures are going to be. ...and NCN's are better than everyone's.
Don Freo
Guest
And Harris and Agar and Whiteman...That bloke previewing tipped us for last again, Tom. Tipped the Vic teams for top 2 and they have lost 4 games. Eastern Staters...Pfff!
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
Michael Klinger wins the Man of the Match after his 105 runs in the Scorchers' innings. A great performance. So a 35 run win to the Perth Scorchers over the Melbourne Renegades tonight at the WACA. We hope you enjoyed our live blog and thank you for your comments. We hope to see you again soon!
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
Who wins Man of the Match? Klinger for his strong form with the bat or Behrendorff with the ball?
Craig Watson
Guest
Callum Ferguson keeps on scoring runs. Fergo is next in line for a "baggy green". He should also make the world cup squad. If only I was a selector. They will stick with the misfiring Shane Watson no doubt. Jason Behredorff is continuing to make a statement for a world cup spot with two further wickets to go with his four in the last game. The thing that is most impressing is his meager economy rate.
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
Last ball and WICKET! Russell gone as the Scorchers beat the Renegades by 35 runs! An impressive performance and their first win of the season!
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
RUN OUT! Fekete gone for a duck as Fawad Ahmed comes to the crease with two balls remaining in the innings. Renegades 8/153
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
SIX! Russell has struck again and hit a 105 metre SIX and the biggest one of the tournament so far!!
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
19 overs gone, Renegades 7/141 with the last over to play. The Scorchers will win but by how much remains to be seen.
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
WICKET! Klinger catches Renegades debutant Matt Short (2) and a second wicket to Tye. Renegades 7/141 with 8 balls left as Andrew Fekete comes to the crease.
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
Two SIXES in a row from Andre Russell!!
Justin Cooper
Roar Pro
18 overs gone, Renegades 6/128. 12 balls left, 65 runs the margin.