VICTORIA: Experienced Melbourne Renegades handed a crushing defeat to the newly conscripted Brisbane Heat in a lopsided affair of the ongoing edition of Big Bash League (BBL).

In the 36th match of the ongoing BBL edition on Thursday, the home side handed a crushing defeat to the inexperienced Heat; securing a comfortable five wickets victory with as many overs to spare.

Batting first, the Heat had a decent start to their innings as their opening pair provided a fair 36-runs stand. Jack Clayton was the batter, who dismissed after scoring a run-a-ball 15. He hit three boundaries.

Soon after, the newly converged Pakistan’s left-hander – Fakhar Zaman, was also dismissed cheaply; scoring just three off seven balls. The side then began to lose wickets at an alarming rate, but, Jack Lehmann stood firm at the other end. He kept the scoreboard ticking single-handedly to help his side to get to 128/6 in the allotted 20 overs.

Lehmann walked back to the pavilion in the 19th over after handing a straightforward cath to Mohammad Nabi at midwicket on Kane Richardson’s delivery. He scored a valiant 65 off 52 balls; smashing eight boundaries.

For the Renegades, Richardson, Nabi, and Zahir Khan claimed two wickets apiece.

Set to chase 129, Renegades had the worst possible start to their innings; losing their first wicket for none as their opener Sam Harper bagged a three-ball duck. Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, however, batted strongly and partnered astonishingly; putting on a 96-runs partnership.

The duo appeared solid, but, Marsh could not keep going for long after scoring his half-century as the left-handed batter fell short to Zaman’s blinder on Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s delivery. He scored a quickfire 57 off 37 balls, laced with six boundaries and three sixes.

Soon after, in the next over, Finch also walked back to the pavilion after scoring 37. He faced 28 balls; smacking two boundaries and as many sixes.

Following his dismissal, the home side lost two quick wickets, but, the skipper – Nic Maddinson stood firm and got his side over the line. He scored an unbeaten 22 off 14 balls, including two sixes.

For the Heat, David Grant picked three wickets, while Ronan McDonald and Rahman shared one wicket apiece.

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