The Melbourne Renegades, led by a solid performance from Shaun Marsh, secured a six-wicket victory over the Melbourne Stars, dealing a blow to the Stars’ BBL finals hopes. Despite a third-ball duck from Aaron Finch, the Renegades successfully chased down the Stars’ total of 137 for 8. The loss left the Stars in fifth place, one point behind the Adelaide Strikers.
The Renegades stumbled in the Power Surge but veteran Shaun Marsh, with an unbeaten 64 off 49 balls, and Jonathan Wells, with 14 not out off 15, guided them to victory with a 46-run partnership. Four Stars players scored over 20, but only Hilton Cartwright managed to pass 30.
Before the game, Finch, the Renegades’ all-time leading scorer, had his team jersey number retired, and the team ensured a proper send-off with the victory. Marsh and Jake Fraser-McGurk, who scored 42 off 31 balls, weathered the Stars seamers’ attack and added 68 runs for the second wicket after Finch’s departure.
Maxwell briefly threatened to spoil the party, scoring 20 off ten balls, but with solid performances from Renegades’ bowlers Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, and Akeal Hosein, the Stars’ efforts fell short. Rogers and Richardson each took a wicket with their first delivery, setting the stage for the Renegades’ successful run chase.
