Melbourne Renegades posted a remarkable six-run Big Bash League victory over a Chris Gayle-inspired Sydney Thunder.
Set a meagre victory target of 141 by the Renegades, the Thunder looked in no trouble with Gayle blasting 75, his third massive score in as many innings at the Olympic Stadium.
But brilliant bowling from Dirk Nannes (0 for 10 off four overs), Shahid Afridi (3 for 21) and Shane Harwood (2 for 26) combined with sluggish batting from Gayle's Thunder team-mates held the home side to 7 for 134.
Gayle admitted he felt it was a match the Thunder should not have let slip in front of 18,731 fans.
"I'm disappointed I didn't carry the team across the line," Gayle said.
"We got a good start (but) kept losing wickets at crucial times and that set us back and cost us the game.
"We definitely should've won it."
The Renegades first victory of the tournament keeps them in the mix for a finals spot.
The Thunder, undefeated in their opening two matches, needed 16 runs off the final over, bowled by Shaun Tait (2 for 32), but could only manage nine, with Tait bowling Sean Abbott with the last ball of the match.
Renegades pair Brad Hodge (44 off 31) and Aaron Finch (41 off 34) combined for 82 runs before Thunder spinner Luke Doran (2 for 26) removed both openers in the same over.
Only later did it become clear just how important those runs were, as the boundaries dried up on a tricky wicket.
From there, the wheels fell off but the Renegades managed to scramble to 8 for 140, which ended up being just enough despite more Gayle heroics at his favourite ground.
As a member of the Warriors last season, Gayle plundered 92 at the ground against a hapless Blues attack and his measured knock against the Renegades, in addition to last week's 100 not out against Adelaide, takes his tally at the ground to 267 in three innings.
Harwood says it was a pressure reliever to have secured the first win.
"It takes a little bit of pressure off the guys. It's one of those ones we needed," he said.
"Shahid Afridi obviously bowled really well ... Dirk Nannes was outstanding and gave us something to bowl to at the end.
"It was a very hard wicket to score from when you're not in."
Harwood says the upset victory was just the beginning, with another three wins from their next four matches required to make the finals.
"It was definitely [do or die]," Nannes said.
"We're thinking four games might get you there, so we're planning to win every game from here on in obviously."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, twenty20, sydney-2000, melbourne-3000 First posted December 30, 2011 22:21:44
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