BIG BASH League veteran Chris Lynn has become just about must-watch TV this season, a claim that was further emphasised after he smashed another 69 (not out) for the Adelaide Strikers to help lead his side to victory against the Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday night.

Lynn has been in ripping form of late and it continued at home as the Strikers ran out 20-run winners after the Renegades could not chase down the required total of 202 from 20 overs.

As expected, Lynn was named Player of the Match for his 69-run performance, proving the defining factor to withstand a brutal attack from Melbourne’s bowling lineup. He was the difference on the scorecard, and made the total too much for the opposition as the Strikers recorded their equal third highest score in club history.

The Renegades won the toss and chose to bowl, backing their attack on Adelaide Oval’s turf, which has been bowler friendly at times. However, openers Matt Short and Ryan Gibson set the tone from the get go for the Strikers, forming a 63-run partnership in the first six overs. Once the latter was dismissed, Lynn came out to the crease and wasted no time in boosting Adelaide’s score further.

Lynn recorded his third consecutive half century, cementing his status as the form batsman of the competition. He smacked eight boundaries against the Renegades with five going along the ground and three on the full. It took him just 37 balls to reach 69 runs, and the opposition had no answers for his aggressiveness, with the 32-year-old not dismissed over the course of the match.

The Renegades did not look close to chasing down the required total, and despite the efforts of Sam Harper and Matt Critchley, fell 20 runs short of getting the job done on the road.

Lynn was the clear standout from the match, despite not fielding in the second half due to being under the weather, but was given plenty of help from the rest of Adelaide’s top order. Short (38 runs), Gibson (24 runs), Adam Hose (33 runs) and Colin De Grandhomme (32 runs) all chimed in for some hand runs. However, the Strikers will be sweating on the availability of De Grandhomme, who injured his hamstring whilst batting.

Harper was the Renegades’ best, smacking a valiant 63 runs from just 36 balls as he tried to boost Melbourne’s score as much as he could. Crichtley was impressive on debut with the bat, posting 33 runs from just 19 balls, but went for 19 runs in his sole bowling over, falling victim to the impressive form of the Strikers.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Adelaide Strikers (4/202) def. Melbourne Renegades (6/182)
POTM: Chris Lynn (69 not out)
TOSS: Melbourne Renegades won the toss and opted to bowl

KEY PLAYERS

Adelaide Strikers:
Chris Lynn (69), Matt Short (38)
Matt Short (2/26), Wes Agar (2/26)

Melbourne Renegades:
Sam Harper (63), Matthew Crichtley (33)
Ruwantha Kellapotha (2/32)