Young gun Mackenzie Harvey delivered in brutal fashion as the Melbourne Renegades pulled off a remarkable five-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars, putting a huge dent in their rivals' BBL finals hopes.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Stars all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile returned after more than three weeks out with a calf injury and took 3-12 from his first 15 balls.
But his next nine deliveries - in the 16th and 19th overs - went for 29 runs as 20-year-old Harvey and Beau Webster went on the attack.
It left the Renegades needing just six off the final over and Webster finished it with a mighty blow with two balls to spare.
Webster (22 off nine) joined Harvey (47 off 21) at the crease when the Renegades needed 62 off 27 balls, the pair combining for a dozen boundaries in a blistering partnership.
The result left the fourth-placed Stars in grave danger of missing the finals and was the last-placed Renegades' fourth win of the season.
Earlier, Coulter-Nile was bowled first ball after being promoted to No.4 ahead of captain Glenn Maxwell.
Nick Larkin's unbeaten 61 helped the Stars to 6-158 from their 20 overs, with Zak Evans (2-23) and new cult figure Peter Hatzoglou (2-34) the pick of the Renegades' bowlers.
Evans was on a hat-trick at one point after dismissing Marcus Stoinis (37) and Coulter-Nile with successful balls.
Renegades opener Aaron Finch's tough run continued as he fell to yet another unusual dismissal, missing an attempted sweep shot off Zahir Khan as his pants dragged back onto the stumps.
The Australia T20 skipper is averaging just 14.92 this season and has made just two scores above 20.
Sam Harper added a handy 39 for the Renegades.
Australian Associated Press