"Live" Halftime Recap - Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades @ SCG

Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades 6/170 (20 Overs) @ SCG
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Finch Helps Propel Renegades In Crucial Clash

Aaron Finch would have played a lot more memorable and brutal T20 innings than the 57 from 44  he churned out tonight at the SCG against the Sixers. However, I thought the Renegades captain summed up the conditions perfectly. By pegging himself back a few gears and batting responsibly through the middle overs, Finch showed he is far from just crash and bash merchant.  Finch worked a number of 2s to the longer side of the ground and manipulating the ball to different areas using his cuts and reverse sweeps.  Having been starved of the strike, and on a wicket offering some assistance for the bowlers, Finch played within himself and helped set his team up with a score that looks defendable in a crucial game for the Renegades. It's been a tough few days for the likes of George Bailey and Aaron Finch, having been dropped from the Australian ODI side. However, these guys have proven they remain class players and great competitors by responding in kind with crucial runs for their teams and, no doubt, a first class attitude as captain of their respective sides. 

Renegades Persist With Strange Tactics Up Front

I really don't get some team's strategy up front. The days of the pinch hitting bowler are over as far as I am concerned. Teams are loaded with hard hitting and deep batting orders without having to resort to a player without a First Class 50 to open the batting for them. Aaron Finch would be close to the most destructive T20 opening batsman in the world, so I am really scratching my head why the Renegades continue to persist with Sunil Narine. The Renegades have the likes of Peter Neville, Callum Ferguson and Tom Cooper who have had limited opportunities in the BBL and would jump at the chance to open the batting and have a licence to thrill. If they wanted to try a shock tactic, at least throw one of those accomplished batsman up there. Narine doesn't have a First Class 50 for a reason. A tactic like that might work once, but it's creating an ugly start for the Renegades. 

Sixers Sloppy In Bowling Power Play Once More

The Sixers' quicks have really struggled in the bowling Power Play throughout BBL6. Despite picking up a couple of early wickets tonight, I thought they gifted the Renegades probably 20 odd cheap runs in those opening six overs. They continue to persist with Ben Dwarshuis up front despite overwhelming evidence that he is far more productive and confident bowling in the middle overs and at the death. To be fair to the Sixers, a fresh and wavy looking wicket produced a fair bit of swing and nipped around and it was more the execution that let them down in conditions conducive to seam bowling. Jackson Bird bowled some beautiful deliveries, however he strayed on to leg stump a few times. Like back in Game 1 against the Thunder, Dwarshuis served up far too many half volleys and didn't look comfortable or confident bowling with the new ball. He managed to strangle Cameron White down the leg side which was a real bonus considering the touch White looked in. While they did pick up 2/57 in the bowling powerplay with a bit better execution it could have been a lot better for the Sixers. 

Cooper and Ferguson Takes Their Chance

I thought Tom Cooper and Callum Ferguson were really impressive tonight batting at Number 4 and 5 for the Renegades. Cooper's 39 runs from 23 balls kept the tempo going despite coming to the crease with the Renegades in trouble at 2/27. While Ferguson batted intelligently before cutting loose in the final over with a couple of huge 6s to finish with 39 from 25 balls. Straight away both Cooper and Ferguson were busy with their footwork and their intent. Sometimes when middle order batsmen come in, they hit the ball at one pace and can soak up dot balls and build pressure on themselves and their partner.  Cooper would have been forgiven for defending a few balls or playing himself in however he was sharp from and productive from ball 1. Both ran extremely well between the wickets, ran the ball down to third man when they were not looking for a boundary, meaning the scoreboard kept ticking along. If the Renegades are to win this competition, they need production outside of Aaron Finch and tonight Cooper and Ferguson stepped up to the plate. 

Lurker Ready To Pounce

Once again, The Lurker has landed the first leg of his high bat double with Aaron Finch's classy half century for the Renegades. Can the Sixers' skipper Moises Henriques respond in kind and land another monster double for The Lurker. More importantly, the Lurker will be looking to get to 15-6 for the season with the Renegades needing to defend   6/170 to get The Lurker back into the winner's circle. This one looks like it will go right down to the wire.