MELBOURNE Renegades skipper Nic Maddinson stylishly marked his 100th Big Bash League (BBL) game, blasting 87 (49) to lead his side to a 22-run win over the Brisbane Heat. In the competition’s first venture to Cazalys Stadium in Cairns, the Renegades’ total of 7-166 proved more than enough to earn an important first-up win and put their wooden spoon season in arrears.

Maddinson and opening partner Sam Harper bashed a stand of 65 for the first wicket, including 50 runs in the powerplay to put their side on track for 200 having been sent in at the toss. Though, when Harper fell to James Bazley (2-19) via a handy Josh Brown catch, the wickets began to tumble for Melbourne.

A collapse of 4-14 in four overs saw the ‘Gades stumble to 4-78, bringing Andre Russell to the crease. Alongside the cool-headed Maddinson, he compiled 35 (28) in a 78-run stand with his skipper off just 46 balls to help steer the visitors to their ominous total.

Things could have been much worse, considering one of Maddison’s bails was dislodged on 42, though replays showed the wind had done so as the ball was looped away behind square. That, and staying alive through Brisbane’s heated fightback proved the only real speedbumps along Maddinson’s path. He took a whopping 42 runs off Xavier Bartlett, including 20 in the first power surge over.

The Heat’s innings started off far less emphatically, with Max Bryant dismissed by spin in the first over. West Indies tweaker Akeal Hosein claimed the wickets of both openers en route to figures of 3-15, with his third pole arguably the most important of the lot.

Jimmy Peison (43 off 30) was the man to go, having steadied his side’s run chase along side Colin Munro (35 off 30). The pair put together 54 runs in little more than five overs, though the Heat stood little chance once both were dismissed. Munro’s downfall was a pinpoint run out via the arm of Tom Rogers, who also picked up 1-33 off his three overs.

Ultimately, the hosts were restricted to 6-144 and struggled to get going after the loss of key wickets, handing the Renegades a confidence boosting win straight out of the gates. Brisbane will not have to wait long for a chance at redemption, with the two teams set for an immediate reverse fixture on Wednesday, at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Brisbane Heat (6-144) def. by Melbourne Renegades (7-166) by 22 runs
POTM: Nic Maddinson (Melbourne Renegades)
TOSS: Brisbane Heat won the toss and elected to bat

KEY PLAYERS

Brisbane Heat:
Matt Kuhnemann 3-32, James Bazley 2-19, Mark Steketee 1-25
Jimmy Peirson 43 (30), Colin Munro 35 (30), Ross Whiteley 28* (18)

Melbourne Renegades:
Nic Maddinson 87 (49), Andre Russell 35 (28), Sam Harper 21 (15)
Akeal Hosein 3-15, Andre Russell 1-26 (3), Tom Rogers 1-33 (3)