"Live" Halftime Recap - Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes @ Docklands

Melbourne Renegades 4/222 (20 Overs) V Hobart Hurricanes @ Docklands

Renegades Pummel Hurricanes for 222

I said in the preview I thought the Renegades were very close to clicking, and putting on a big score, with the bat. Tonight they achieved the perfect combination of getting their batting order right, and coming up against a downtrodden Hurricanes' lineup lacking quality and experience. The Renegades smashed their previous highest score of 210. Aaron Finch continued his outstanding form in BBL6 by plundering 63 from 40 balls, responding to the Australian selectors in fine style. With Cameron White in superlative touch, and Tom Cooper hitting his straps, this is a batting unit that is coming together at the right time of the season. With the bowling line up they have, if the Renegades can regularly muster scores of 180, I don't think they will be losing many games. 

Renegades Adjust Their Tactics and Get a Result Out Of It

I thought the Renegades got their tactics more on point tonight in the batting Power Play. They shelved their bizarre tactic of opening with Sunil Narine for a proper top-order batsman in Marcus Harris. Harris hasn't been particularly impressive in previous games, however he is a quality batsman who bats in the top order for his State side. Harris got the Renegades off to their best start, hitting the ball cleanly in scoring 25 from 18 balls, to propel the Renegades to 0/37 from the first four overs.  I thought Harris and Finch deliberately targeted Sam Rainbird and Jake Reed who were making their first appearances in BBL for the Hurricanes. 

Hurricanes Short On Quality Spin Options

The Hurricanes have looked short on quality with the ball in BBL6, and never was that more evident than tonight against the Renegades. You don't see too many sides bowl seven straight overs of pace to start a game in BBL cricket, however the Hurricanes tried it tonight with limited success. Outside of Stuart Broad whose first two overs were excellent, going for just 7 runs, the Hurricanes conceded 54 from the other 5 overs from Rainbird, Reed and Christian. It's been proven in the past that you need good spinners to win BBL titles and make finals series consistently, and the Hurricanes are a little bit light on in that area. While their batting has let them down, they have not had spinners who have been able to dictate games and be bankers for them. If they want to improve as a team, I think that's one aspect they are going to have to address in the off-season. 

Renegades Are My Smokies To Take Out BBL6

While many teams are losing players for international duty, the Renegades are gaining them at just the right time. While the Stars, Scorchers and Heat are fielding weakened line-ups for the remainder of BBL6, the Renegades have all their troops on deck. There is plenty of quality experience in this team that have been around the block.  With Captain Aaron Finch and the experienced Cameron White driving their top order, the Renegades have an air of stability about them. Despite sitting at 2-3, I am confident they will win tonight and go on a bit of a run and get into the semi-finals with momentum. I like the inclusion of Xavier Doherty, as they are playing to their strengths of virtually an all out spin attack. The Renegades have good depth in their batting and bowling stocks, and with the likes of Cooper and Ferguson starting to chip in, I think they are building momentum at just the right time.

Lurker Looking At A Rare Treble

The Lurker has been close to pulling off a treble at times, however never more so than tonight. With the Renegades strong favourites to win, Tom Cooper has already got half the job done by comfortably scoring 25+. The Lurker also suggested an Aaron Finch and Sunil Narine High Bat/Bowler double which is half way home. Is the Lurker about to clean them out again??