'Worst performance': Renegades roasted after historic BBL fail
The Melbourne Renegades have been absolutely torched by cricket fans after their dismal performance against the Sydney Sixers saw them record one of the worst losses in BBL history.
Despite winning the 2018/19 BBL competition, the Renegades have the dubious distinction of being on the receiving end of the three worst losses in league history to date.
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Opening the batting for the Sixers, Josh Philippe hit 95 from 57 balls at Blundstone Arena on Sunday night as his side posted 4-205.
In reply, the Renegades were routed for 60 in less than 11 overs - the second lowest BBL score after their 57 in 2014-15.
Philippe pulled out a full array of shots after being given a chance on 24 when Beau Webster dropped a return chance off his own bowling.
The Renegades chase got off to a horror start, with skipper Aaron Finch one of four to go cheaply in the first five overs
Quick Ben Dwarshuis was the chief destroyer, claiming 3-6 in his opening two-over spell before finishing with four wickets.
After the early collapse, Melbourne decided to chase a bonus point which is awarded to the team with the most runs at the comparative 10-over mark.
"It got worse because of our execution when we tried to go for that point," coach Michael Klinger said.
"One of the discussions was 'is a point more important or is net run-rate?' Obviously we got neither."
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If the loss wasn’t a bitter enough pill to swallow for the Renegades, the mockery they copped on social media afterwards would have stung even more.
Test batsman David Warner was one of the first to rub salt in the wound, mocking the Melbourne side by suggesting he’d confused the scorecard for the time.
“Just looked at the bottom of my screen and saw 9/43 and thought it was the time,” he wrote.
Just looked at the bottom of my screen and saw 9/43 and thought it was the time 😢😢 #bbl
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) December 13, 2020
Unfortunately for the Renegades, Warner’s jab was just the beginning.
Plenty of others mocked the team’s poor performance online, while others were simply staggered by how large the loss was.
That’s gotta be the worst all round performance in big bash history. Ch7 will be delighted! #renegades #BBL10
— ron reed (@reedrw) December 13, 2020
Josh Philippe: 1/95 (9.3 overs) bt Melbourne Renegades 10/60 (10.4 overs) by 35 runs. #BBL10
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) December 13, 2020
Strikers 6-49
Renegades Hold my beer #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/ojgYBisUdZ— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) December 13, 2020
Renegades 3-16 in pursuit of 206. Would they consider abandoning ship and targeting the bonus point? #BBL10 https://t.co/1dxblHqigc
— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) December 13, 2020
Renegades 5/38 after 7 overs chasing 206 to win.
Never mind the 10 over bonus point, they'll be doing well to be still batting...#BBL10— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) December 13, 2020
Under rules introduced this season, the side ahead run-wise at 10 overs receives one competition point and the winner gets three.
The Melbourne Renegades chose to chase the bonus point on Sunday night after losing early wickets in pursuit of the Sydney Sixers' mammoth 4-205.
But it all went pear-shaped.
They were bowled out for 60 - the second lowest BBL score - in 64 balls and missed out on the bonus point.
It was the biggest run defeat in the tournament's history.
Renegades coach Michael Klinger defended the decision but said it was possible there'd be further lopsided games this summer as teams put their eggs in the one-point basket.
He said Melbourne shifted focus after they were four down for 20-odd runs inside five overs.
"The hard thing is, I don't know if it's the greatest spectacle," Klinger said.
"But at the same time it gives good content for the commentators and broadcasters to talk about.
"I haven't seen any of the footage, so I'm not sure how it (the chase) came across."
Klinger said it was an obvious tactical choice to aim for the bonus point against the Sixers but conceded the chase turned into a "train wreck".
"The discussion was 'is a point more important, or net run-rate?'," he said.
"Obviously we didn't get either. If we were one, two down we could have taken the game deep."
With AAP