Rashid Khan put Melbourne Renegades under pressure as Adelaide Strikers avenged their setback two days prior by winning their home opener convincingly. The Renegades bowled brilliantly to restrict the Strikers to 149 runs, but their batting crumbled as they were defeated by 49 runs.
The Strikers appeared to be in danger of losing another match to last season’s wooden spooners after compiling a low total after losing a nail-biter by two runs in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Rashid, on the other hand, was at his magnificent best with the ball, leading a disciplined Strikers attack and defending admirably in a match featuring bowling-dominant teams.
The contest is turned around by Rashid
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When Rashid gets the ball, even if he isn’t taking wickets, good things happen for the Strikers. Rashid came on in the fifth over in a desperate attempt to get Strikers back into the match, with Renegades cruising in the chase after scoring 36 runs from the four-over powerplay through outstanding opening pair Sam Harper and Mackenzie Harvey.
There was an immediate sense of anticipation, and Renegades batted gingerly as if attempting to survive Rashid’s brilliance. On his sixth ball, he had Harvey stuck in front, but the massive appeal was denied, resulting in chaos.
Non-striker Harper appeared to be in a daze, maybe perplexed as to why Rashid’s heartfelt plea was not granted, and ball watched rather than taking the simple leg bye on offer. In another instance where Rashid’s impact on the game was seismic, the batsmen were stranded at the same end, leaving Harvey to be run out.
He didn’t return until the ninth over, but he had an immediate effect by claiming the wicket of James Seymour, which shifted the tempo.
To strangle Renegades, the pumped-up Strikers blocked runs and constricted bounds.
Skipper Peter Siddle used Rashid Khan in one-over bursts to dismiss Jonathan Merlo in the 13th over, tightening Strikers’ grip on the game
The Renegades are in desperate need of batting reinforcements.
The Renegades plummeted after a strong start and lost their composure, just like they did in their season opener when they lost 6 for 9. In an attempt to regain momentum, they elevated seasoned Mohammad Nabi to No. 4, but it didn’t work as the inexperienced Renegades lost their calm with a flurry of wickets, much to the chagrin of coach David Saker.
They’ll be pleased with Harvey and Harper’s growth. But they’ll need reinforcements in the form of veteran players Nic Maddinson, Aaron Finch, and Shaun Marsh if they hope to make the playoffs.
Renegades’ bowling, like Strikers’, is their strength, and they performed admirably under duress.
The Strikers hit the biggest total in the four-over powerplay so far in the competition with 48 runs. Maybe spurred by the actions of their usual skipper Travis Head earlier in the day.
If it hadn’t been for Zahir Khan, who was sent into the attack in the third over. The total would have been higher. Matt Short blasted him for two monster sixes. But he bounced back to clean bowl a befuddled Jake Weatherald with a gem of a wrong ‘un.
After scooping player-of-the-match on Tuesday with 3 for 24. Zahir then took the crucial wicket of the dangerous Short in his next over to keep his hot start to the season going.
In the middle overs, the 22-year-old returned to the attack and bowled accurately to frustrate the halted Strikers.
As quicks, he finished with a solid 2 for 33. The lower order was run through by Reece Topley and Kane Richardson.
Batting is the Strikers’ weak spot. Coach Jason Gillespie’s early-season problem is his team’s shaky batting order. Which has crumbled horribly in both matches against the Renegades. There is simply not enough firepower and depth without Head and Alex Carey.
The good news is that Short is living up to his hype with his powerful batting at the top. But he still needs to translate his starts into bigger totals. In the middle overs, however, No. 3 Harry Nielsen has appeared out of rhythm, putting pressure on his colleagues.
With a fluent 37, Jonathan Wells attempted to restore momentum. But he was dismissed at the start of the power surge by Richardson. They became only the third player in BBL history. To capture 100 wickets, as the Strikers slipped away once again, bowled out with one over remaining.
Fortunately, they had Rashid Khan on their side to help them.
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