MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Melbourne Renegades’ continued experiment with Sunil Narine as opener paid little dividends as they slumped to a 46-run defeat to Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League here yesterday.
In the Melbourne derby at Docklands Stadium, Stars piled up an imposing 200 for seven and then restricted their city rivals to 154 for nine off their 20 overs.
The victory was crucial as it lifted Stars into a four-way tie with Renegades, Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers – all on four points. However, Stars are now fourth in the standings by virtue on net run rate.
Sent in, Stars were propelled by charismatic former England star Kevin Pietersen who blasted 73 off 46 deliveries and opener Rob Quiney who stroked 51 from 30 balls.
When England Luke Wright fell cheaply for six to leave Stars on 10 for one in the second over, the right-handed Pietersen posted 66 for the second wicket with Quiney and 65 for the third wicket with Glenn Maxwell (24), to revive the innings.
Pietersen, who counted seven fours and three sixes, finally perished in the 17th over when he miscued a big stroke at off-spinner Narine and was taken on the off-side.
Narine finished with one for 37 from four overs.
In reply, the left-handed Narine belted a six in scoring 12 from 10 balls as he helped add 30 off 19 balls for the first wicket with captain Aaron Finch who lashed 27.
Narine was first to depart, carving seamer Scott Boland to Pietersen at extra cover in the fourth over and wickets fell steadily to leave Renegades up against it.
Cameron White’s top score of 38 from 29 deliveries and number ten Chris Tremain’s cameo 17-ball unbeaten 27 were not enough to rescue the run chase.
