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Melbourne Renegades secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium, snapping a six-match losing streak against the West Australian team. The win was not without drama, as Renegades fought through a middle-order collapse after a solid start to their chase of 144. Cameos from Bathell, Seifert, and Evans helped them stay on […]
Melbourne Renegades secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium, snapping a six-match losing streak against the West Australian team. The win was not without drama, as Renegades fought through a middle-order collapse after a solid start to their chase of 144. Cameos from Bathell, Seifert, and Evans helped them stay on track, but a loss of 5 wickets for 44 runs put their victory in jeopardy. Ultimately, it was captain Will Sutherland who sealed the win, scoring the final runs with an over to spare.
The match was played on a much-criticized surface, with social media buzzing over the patchy outfield, which had been impacted by a recent university graduation ceremony and several high-profile concerts, including Pearl Jam and Coldplay. The Scorchers’ batting struggled on a seaming wicket after being sent in to bat, with Renegades’ paceman Tom Rogers leading the charge with a stellar 3 for 22 off four overs. His performance was key in keeping the Scorchers to a modest total of 143, setting the stage for a tense finish.
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Cooper Connolly (66 off 50 balls) and BBL debutant Matthew Spoors (29 off 26) were the standout performers for Perth Scorchers, but their efforts weren’t enough to set a competitive total. The Scorchers struggled early, limping to 4 for 48 at the halfway mark of their innings. In contrast, Melbourne Renegades capitalized on the powerplay, smashing 42 runs off their four overs. They kept up the pace throughout their chase, thanks to cameos from Tim Seifert (28 off 14), Jacob Bethell (30 off 22), and Laurie Evans (24 off 18), keeping them well ahead of the required run rate.
The Scorchers’ spinners, Ashton Agar (1 for 20 off four overs), Connolly (1 for 17 off three), and captain Ashton Turner (1 for 3 off one), tightened the screws with some key wickets and slowed the scoring rate. A brilliant direct-hit run-out by Matthew Kelly at deep midwicket left Renegades at 7 for 128 after 16 overs, and when Fergus O’Neill was caught at mid-off, the Renegades still needed four runs off nine balls. Despite the pressure, Renegades managed to clinch victory, with Sutherland scoring the winning runs.
One of the match’s most memorable moments came from Renegades’ dynamic fielder, Mackenzie Harvey. His brilliant one-handed, leaping catch at midwicket to dismiss Spoors highlighted his exceptional fielding skills. Harvey also executed a direct-hit run-out and saved numerous runs. On the bowling side, O’Neill (1 for 18 off four overs) was impressive, restricting Scorchers with his tight line. Connolly’s explosive end to the innings, blasting six sixes, including two successive sixes off Kane Richardson, brought Scorchers to a more respectable score. With the win, Renegades improved to 2-1, while Scorchers dropped to 1-2 after consecutive losses.
Eshan Malinga’s standout 2024 season has earned him a maiden call-up to Sri Lanka’s national side, with the fast bowler named in the 17-man ODI squad for their upcoming limited-overs tour of New Zealand. Alongside Malinga, seamer Lahiru Kumara has been recalled to the squad, with Dilshan Madushanka making way. On the batting front, Sadeera Samarawickrama has been dropped, and Nuwanidu Fernando will take his place. The rest of the squad remains unchanged from the one that faced New Zealand at home last month.
Malinga, who made his domestic debut in 2022, has been in strong form, claiming 20 wickets in 12 List A games at an average of 25.15. His rise to prominence began in 2019 when he won a nationwide fast-bowling contest, clocking a top speed of 141kph, which put him on the radar of selectors.
Eshan Malinga’s rise continues in 2024, with his consistency and control complementing his searing pace. His performances earned him an LPL contract with the Jaffna Kings, where he played just one game, and he has since been signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for the IPL 2025 season. Malinga has also been a regular in the Sri Lanka A side across various formats. His inclusion in the ODI squad coincides with the decline of Dilshan Madushanka, who has struggled since returning from injury. Despite finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Madushanka has only managed 14 wickets in 11 ODIs in 2024.
Sri Lanka’s batting unit remains relatively settled, with captain Charith Asalanka leading a strong contingent that includes Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kamindu Mendis. Nissanka has secured one opening spot, with Avishka Fernando or Nishan Madushka vying for the other. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s exclusion comes after a lean run of form, and he is replaced by Nuwanidu Fernando, who offers a more aggressive option. Janith Liyanage is the first-choice for the lower middle-order, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe adds depth as an all-round seam-bowler. The pace unit is headed by Asitha Fernando, with Malinga, Kumara, and Mohamed Shiraz, while the spin department features Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay. Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand starts with a three-match T20I series on December 28, followed by the ODI series beginning on January 5 in Wellington. Matches will also be held in Hamilton and Auckland on January 8 and 11, respectively.
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