A PLAYER of the match performance from Andre Russell has helped muscle the Melbourne Renegades to a third consecutive win to start BBL|12, after defeating the Brisbane Heat on Wednesday night. Playing his third of four allotted matches for the season, Russell formed a crucial 81-run partnership with Aaron Finch to set up his side’s successful chase of the Heat’s 8-137 with four balls to spare.

The pair entered the crease amid utter Michael Neser mayhem, at 4-9 off just 2.2 overs. Returning to the Big Bash League (BBL) from the Australian Test squad, the Queensland seamer utilised a nippy GMHBA Stadium pitch to advantage with an early hat-trick, removing Jake Fraser-McGurk (6), Nic Maddinson (2), and Jono Wells (0) across two overs.

His final figures, 4-32, were somewhat blighted by Russell though, who picked him up for three of his total six maximums en route to 57 off 42 balls, his maiden BBL half-century. Compounding the hurt for Neser, Russell whacked his hat-trick ball onto the roof and he was bowled out before the Power Surge as Brisbane searched for a breakthrough with little to defend.

Mark Steketee (2-23), who instead was brought on during the Surge, eventually nabbed the key wicket of Russell in a timely spell. It meant the finishing job was left to Akeal Hosein (30) and Finch (31*), with the latter taking over from Russell to take the hitting pressure of Finch. Will Sutherland‘s one-ball cameo proved crucial too, as he bombed a six to leave just three runs required off the final over.

Finch hit the winning runs in style, guiding the ‘Gades home for a second successful chase in four days. Earlier, his side also proved clinical with the ball and quickly set the precedent of what was required to keep a low total. Tom Rogers thrived in particular, banging the ball in back of a length for his 4-23, including the key dismissals of Matthew Renshaw (29) and Sam Billings (25).

The Heat pair came together with their side sitting perilously at 2-14, but got on the front foot with proactive shotmaking and running between the wickets. They ticked over 61 runs before falling to Rogers at either end of the same over.

It looked at one point that the Heat would stumble to less than a run-a-ball total, only for Jimmy Peirson to resurrect the innings. Forced to take the Power Surge in the final two overs, he whacked Kane Richardson (0-25) for four-straight boundaries to bring Brisbane’s effort to a more defendable mark.

Still without a win after two games, the Heat will next be in action on Friday night as they host the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba. Meanwhile, Melbourne will look to go 4-0 and see off Russell with a win when travelling to Hobart on Christmas Eve.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Melbourne Renegades (6-139) def. Brisbane Heat (8-137) by 4 wickets
POTM: Andre Russell (Melbourne Renegades)
TOSS: Brisbane Heat won the toss and elected to bat

KEY PLAYERS

Melbourne Renegades:
Tom Rogers 4-23, Akeal Hosein 3-26, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1-18
Andre Russell 57 (42), Aaron Finch 31* (43), Akeal Hosein 30 (19)

Brisbane Heat:
Jimmy Peirson 45* (30), Matthew Renshaw 29 (29), Sam Billings 25 (19)
Michael Neser 4-32, Mark Steketee 2-23, Matt Kuhnemann 0-19

INNINGS BREAKDOWN

Power Play (1-2)
Melbourne Renegades: 4-23
Brisbane Heat: 2-24

Halfway (10)
Melbourne Renegades: 4-65
Brisbane Heat: 2-75

Power Surge
Melbourne Renegades (15-16): 1-11
Brisbane Heat (19-20): 0-29

Totals
Melbourne Renegades: 6-139
Brisbane Heat: 8-137