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Match Report:

Scorecard

Renegades end Strikers' season

Harris make superb 85 and Perera takes four as Melbourne march on in BBL|06

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The scorecard: Melbourne Renegades 9-171 (Harris 85, Pollard 3-30) beat Adelaide Strikers 165 (Dunk 32, Perera 4-25) by six runs

The match in a tweet: Season over for Strikers! Harris pilots Renegades to thrilling win to stay alive in #BBL06

Watch ALL the sixes from Strikers v Renegades

The hero: Marcus Harris hadn't hit his straps in BBL|06 but the regular opener won his spot back at the top of the order and duly repaid the faith. With Sunil Narine back down the order, Harris freed his arms, timing the ball beautifully as he took young Wes Agar for 20 in the third over of the innings and raced to 50 from 29 balls. He slowed up a little thereafter but his 85 (53), which included six fours and four sixes, laid the foundation for a solid total for the visitors.

Harris hits form with fine 85

The finish: What looked a fait accompli suddenly, somehow, turned into a thriller, as Jono Dean smashed Narine for consecutive sixes from the first two balls of the 19th over, then followed it up with a three. Brad Hogg's desperate save on the boundary ensured Dean was off strike and Narine only conceded two from the next three balls, leaving the hosts needing an improbable 18 from the final over. Dean perished from the first ball, bowled by Thisara Perera, but then Agar hit four, four to give the Strikers hope - again! A frenetic finale then all but ended with the wicket of Agar, with the Strikers only able to collect three runs from the final two balls. 

Renegades hold nerve in final-over thriller

The freak incident: Wicketkeeper Peter Nevill was struck in the face by the flying bat of Brad Hodge, who lost grip of the handle as he swung heartily at a Perera delivery. Nevill was standing well back but had no idea the bat was sailing in his direction, and he was caught completely off guard when the end of the handle connected with his right cheek. He was taken from the field with considerable swelling around the cheek-bone and took no further part in the match.

Nevill struck in face by bat

The one to keep an eye on: James Pattinson left the field after bowling just three overs, with the word from the Renegades camp simply that he had cramps. Fingers crossed there's nothing more serious than that for the returning speedster.

The catch: Ben Laughlin took a bow after this one. And deservedly so. Gee whiz, this was a stunner.

Leaping Laughlin lands a screamer

The catch II: Anything Laughlin can do, Callum Ferguson can do (better?)…

Ferguson matches Laughlin with freak grab

The imports: Kieron Pollard took 3-30 and Perera took 4-25 to snatch the bowling honours for the Strikers and Renegades respectively, though in truth it was Laughlin (2-15 off four) and Hogg (0-28 off four) who were just as impressive as anyone with the ball.

The wash-up: From minor premiers to out of the running for the finals with a match to go – it's a tough pill to swallow for the Strikers, who face the Thunder on Wednesday night in Sydney with nothing but pride on the line. For the Renegades, it continues to be do-or-die as they take on the Heat in Brisbane on Friday night to finish off their regular season.