Melbourne Renegades wins Big Bash League for the first time in the franchise history

Melbourne Stars (MLS) were cruising away to victory quite comprehensively, but cricket had some other story to tell as Melbourne Renegades rest their eight years of pain to clinch first Big Bash League (BBL) title. The Renegades roar in delight as soon as Zampa squeezes that last ball out off the inside edge. They were seen hugging each other, shouting their lungs off, the Renegades fans were on their feet, streets have started to blare horn, and the excitement has reached the highest echelon. 

It wouldn't be wrong to say that the game titled 180 degrees as the MLS lost seven wickets for mere 19 runs. Stars were 93 runs for no loss but were eventually reduced to 113 for 7. It has been nothing short of a stupendous performance by the Renegades. Ben Dunk’s superlative fifty for Melbourne Stars went in vain as Stars lost the final in the most obnoxious manner possible. After dominating the game for 33 overs in a total of 40 over the encounter, you often don't see this happening.

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The Renegades were asked to have a bat first in the all-important final, and were in absolute doldrums, being reduced to 65 for 5, the veteran Daniel Christian along with Tom Cooper pulled off a timely rescue to help their side reach a respectable total of 145 runs. 145 runs meant, the target for Stars to create history was 146 runs. 

Ben Dunk along with the Marcus Stoinis provided Melbourne stars greatest of starts. The duo smashed the opposition bowlers all around the ground to put up a partnership of 93 runs. Having scored 93 runs, the road for Stars was expected to be flowery. However, as they say, 'cricket is a funny game', it proved yet again as they were demolished as they were all over the place.

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Daniel Christian along with Cameron Boyce dented their middle-order to help Renegades dominate the game. The latter sent back two in-form openers, while the former made sure DJ Bravo doesn't add much to the game. 

In the post-match presentation, skipper Aaron Finch expressed his joys and said, "Very special to win in front of our home fans. They have supported us through thick and thin. I didn't do much, to be honest, but Dan Christian and the rest of the boys did amazingly well. To do it in a final, in particular, was really special. You can defend anything in this ground. We stuck to our basics and strengths really well in the second half and I'm happy we pulled it off. Thanks to all the fans, the players, the families. To the Stars, commiserations. It was an amazing game for a final."

"The Renegades are first in line to get their medals, presented by a bunch of chuffed little fans. The Stars, no doubt, will follow, to collect their runners-up mementos."

With this, the Big Bash League has been handed over to the skipper Aaron Finch as the scenario lights up and for the first time, the trophy is in the hands of 'red'.

Brief Scores: 

MLR: 145/5 in 20 overs (Tom Cooper 43; Zampa 2/21)
MLS: 132/7 in 20 overs (Ben Dunk 57; Tremain 2/21)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Melbourne Renegades wins Big Bash League for the first time in the franchise history. 
• Stars were cruizing to the victory, but cricket had some other story to tell. 
• Daniel Christian was awarded the man-of-the-match for his dazzling effort.