Cameron Boyce celebrates the wicket of Matthew Renshaw in the Big Bash League clash between the Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades at the Gabba in Brisbane. Photograph: Darren England/AAP
Cameron Boyce celebrates the wicket of Matthew Renshaw in the Big Bash League clash between the Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades at the Gabba in Brisbane. Photograph: Darren England/AAP
Well, I’m glad I stuck round for the second innings of that. That was incredible sporting action. And a reminder for kids everywhere - even when it looks 100% over, it’s not over.
Renegades were dead, buried and cremated. But they rose from the crypt. What a delight for their fans who have had slim pickings to celebrate this season.
Big news from the A-League as well, where it’s been reported that Markus Babbel is facing the sack - not even after his side lost at home to Perth Glory, but reportedly with the decision having already been made pre-game, and the news emerging ahead of full-time.
A dramatic conclusion to a day that started with a dramatic return to UFC for Connor McGregor. Feel free to scroll back through the below to relive any of the action you missed. Cheerio!
This is a one of a kind. It’s a dog with five legs, it’s a meteor into the sun. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game like this.
From 0/86 to all out for 120.
Get on the phone to Greg Norman, tell Nick Faldo he’s off the hook. We have a new worthy recipient for the title of The Big Choke - and it’s the Brisbane Heat.
How in the name of anything have they contrived to throw away two competition points here?!
Melbourne Renegades were 1-9 on the competition ladder. They were getting battered from pillar to post during the opening powerplay. Bowlers look like they didn’t want the ball thrown to them. Chris Lynn looked like a Roman amphitheatre gladiator with an insatiable lust for blood.
But from nowhere, the Renegades have turned the contest. Credit Dan Christian, credit Cameron Boyce. And all of a sudden, they’re two wins in two. Incredible stuff. Incredible scenes.
The fans in Brisbane are utterly shell-shocked. They thought they were seeing their side march up the table. They should have leapt into the top four and been knocking at second.
My. Word.
Joe Burns dives for his crease, forlornly. Photograph: Darren England/AAP
Oh my - this is an incredible turnaround! They’ve lost 6/30, the Heat. From being in utter control of this match, suddenly the home side are in freefall.
Credit the captaincy of Dan Christian - he made the call to put Boyce on against de Villiers, and since then they’ve really tightened the screws.
Joe Burns has left the ground, absolutely fuming. He knocked it into space and scampered, but the new man Ben Cutting has sent him back, and he’s found well short of his ground; run out.
HELLO. They were absolutely flying, the Heat. And even after that flurry of big wickets, you still thought these two could settle. But Burns has looked scratchy, the runs starting slowing, and they went half an hour without a boundary. And then the tension told - the set man goes, a feather nick off the spinner, and Patel gets the breakthrough!
And would you believe this - it’s another hattrick opportunity - Patel’s picked up Jimmy Pierson first ball!
Big Bash - Heat 3/103 (10), Burns 8*, Heazlett 52*
So at the halfway point, it’s still the Heat well and truly in control, despite that run of wickets, first from Fekete with Lynn holing out in the deep, and then Boyce’s stunning over taking care of De Villiers and Renshaw.
It’s been calmer stuff since then, with these two tucking their heads a little, and just focusing on picking up the ones and twos.
At almost the same moment in time, at two different grounds, two near hattricks - has that ever happened in global cricket before? I’m calling mystic energy. Getting into tarot/astrology areas I reckon.
Oh wow! It’s the first tactical battle they’ve won of this innings - the Renegades have sent out the leg spinner Cameron Boyce to face the fabled South African, and two balls in, he’s got him!
De Villiers opens the shoulders, but he doesn’t pick it, and Boyce has him cleaned bowled!
And next ball - he’s picked up Matthew Renshaw!! Dan Christian brings in the slip, and Marsh grabs at the edge.
Joe Burns comes in and survives the hattrick ball. Hasn’t the match just swung around dramatically.
Heat call for the timeout at the end of the over to reassess.
They’ve got him - but the horse is out of the stables, the gate has been thoroughly kicked in, and that’s little more than mercy for the Renegades at this stage, because who’s just walked out.. AB de Villiers. Oh my.
Chris Lynn has just battered the Renegades, and the Heat skipper departs with the chase already reduced to a run-a-ball and we’ve 14 overs to run.
13, 13, 10, 24, 13. And we haven’t even seen AB de Villiers. That’s one heck of a powerplay, and this is the kind of batting that bowlers lie awake in terror at night.
And finally, Heazlett misjudges one - and Wildermuth scrambles after it.. but he puts it down. Nothing is falling their way; they’re a team bereft of confidence right now.
Goodness gracious. I said he was playing second fiddle. Not for long. That was one of the most brutal overs of T20 cricket you’ll ever see - Chris Lynn has just put Mohammad Nabi 110m back over his head. THREE sixes off that over - and that’s 24 off the over.
So, the home side are out to start their run chase, and they do not look like they plan on sticking round.
We’re used to seeing Chris Lynn dismember opposition attacks single-handedly, but he’s second fiddle so far - five boundaries off two overs for Sam Heazlett. 13 from the first, 13 from the second. Still, a long way to go in this one.
There’s a lot flying round, I’ll be honest. Internet reports are saying Markus Babbel is already sacked from the Wanderers, but he’s just fronted for an interview on Fox Sports and didn’t give the air of somebody who know’s they’ve been handed their redundancy.
If true, it’s baffling the club would already make the decision ahead of this game - you either sack the manager, or you give him one last chance; you don’t send a dead man out to coach a side.
Well, for all that talk of the innings drifting, how’s T20: it’s a blockbuster last over or two for the Melbourne side with Nabi and Patel throwing the willow late on. 23 off 10 and 22 off 15 great end of innings cameos, and suddenly it’s the magic mark of 160 that’s been reached.
Will it be enough? You’d never say yes with a batting line up that contains Chris Lynn and AB de Villiers.
Pinch hitter - Samit Patel makes the close of the innings respectable. Photograph: Jono Searle/Getty Images
90 + 8 min: Fornaroli uses his experience and puts his body on the line, and Schwegler goes straight through him. Some frustration from the Swiss, you’d imagine.
There’s the whistle - and it’s a rueful shake of the head to the fourth official from Babbel - who in fairness, if this result has sealed his fate, you can’t blame the coach for the inexplicable error from an experienced defender, followed by a double ricochet goal. An absolute sucker punch, but it’s six straight wins for Perth Glory who keep the heat on Sydney FC and Melbourne City.
Diego Castro battles with Matt Jurman. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
A-League - 88 min: Very little time to run for the Wanderers to turn this around, but thanks to those numerous VAR stops, word has just filtered through that we have EIGHT minutes of stoppage time.
Can they get it done deep into Fergie time, Western Sydney?
Big Bash - Renegades 5/127 (17), Nabi 14*, Christian 1*
And once again, it’s another close-but-not-quite as Webster goes for 36 - a second c&b of the innings, this time for Cutting.
They just needed somebody to stay the course and guide this innings home. That said, if they can put a decent final three over together here they may be fashion a competitive total, the Renegades.
A-League - 80 min: And some very ominous news filtering round the interweb spheres - ESPN has tweeted that “sources” around WSW have already confirmed Babbel’s departure from the club inside the next 24 hours.
If true, that’s a bit deflating. If false, incredibly disrespectful.
There have been allegations of staff members white anting the German, if that’s true, and any of those are the same-said “sources” then there’s something very rotten indeed happening at Western Sydney right now.
A-League - Goal disallowed! Western Sydney 0-1 Perth
76 min: Cripes, it’s a third disallowed goal of the contest, and it’s Chianese again denied! That’s been perhaps the most marginal of the three, the computer-generated line suggests he was a shoelace ahead of the last line of defence, but to the naked eye it looked okay. The Perth flyer is denied a fourth of the season - and the Wanderers hang on!
A-League - 71 min: It’s just drifted a little back towards Perth, these past 5-10 minutes. The Wanderers are enjoying 60% of possession, and passing at over 84% accuracy, but they’re finding it hard to create too many clear cut opportunities. Of their 13 shots at goal, only two have found the target.
A fair argument for the arrival of Irish international Cox, signed midweek you’d have to say.
For all their “name” batsmen it’s the less heralded duo again looking promising for the Renegades. Two massive sixes from Will Sutherland - one smashes straight through a Bunnings chair on the sideline: lucky nobody was on it! And he and Webster are building nicely here.
And would you believe it, no sooner than I’ve typed that, and Sutherland’s gone again - but this time, not found the rope. It’s Laughlin again with the breakthrough, that’s a key blow for the Renegades.
A-League - 59 min: In fairness, this has been the best patch of the game, for the Wanderers. Similar to their second half against the Phoenix last weekend, where having gone behind they made all the running. Ominously though for their fans, on that occasion they were unable to find the equaliser.
A thought for Popovic’s thinking - his normally unflappable side are looking a little ropey here. There could yet be some late twists in this one.
A-League: Goal disallowed! Western Sydney 0-1 Perth
55 min: Oh my. Would you believe it - our referee has had a wink and a nod from upstairs and he’s been invited to the sideline. No definitive replays, but it does appear that Yeboah had used the arm, and not the chest, to bundle that one home!
Boos, and bottles from the crowd. They’re not happy - but on balance you’d have to say it was probably the correct decision.
A-League: Goal! Western Sydney 1-1 Perth Glory (Yeboah)
52 min: Ziegler and Muller look to combine, this is a good little patch for the Wanderers.
And minutes later they do appear to have the equaliser! It’s a drilled shot from the far post from Georgievski and it’s bundled home from Yeboah. A lifeline for Markus Babbel!
Big Bash - Renegades 3/63 (10), Webster 7*, Sutherland 0*
Harper joins his opening pair back in the sheds as he took on Cutting, but lost out - gone for 21. It’s the story of the Renegades’ season, really - starts but not too many big knocks.
At the halfway mark of the innings therefore it’s the Heat who’d be liking what they see. Run rate at around a run-a-ball, and three men gone, no batsmen set.
45 min: We’re back - and what can the Wanderers muster in Parramatta?
They’re fast out of the blocks, and the German, Ziegler, has gone to ground in the box and is screaming for a penalty. Replays suggest a dive for simulation may have been a better likelihood.
And just as they were building a little momentum, the Renegades have lost their other experienced man! It’s another start, but not quite for Marsh, who is deceived by the pace of Laughlin he catches the splice of the bat - and its flown almost further than the shot did! Ball flies high in the air, and it’s gratefully accepted as a catch.
Big opportunity for Beau Webster, as he joins Harper in the centre.
A-League: Western Sydney 0-1 Perth Glory - half time
Not a lot to inspire the faithful, alas, in Parramatta - it’s the now familiar Popovic-constrictor job as Perth slowly squeeze the life out of their hosts following that early gift from Wanderers’ experienced defender Dylan McGowan.
Big challenges for the Wanderers to find a way back into this contest - a fine strike from Nicolai Muller aside, there wasn’t much to celebrate. Still, as legs tire more opportunities may emerge.
Bruno Fornaroli and Diego Castro continue their blossoming understanding. Photograph: Mark Evans/AAP
Oh my. It’s not been a great season for Marcus Harris - who attempts a cheeky flick over the head of the ‘keeper but can only watch as it flies straight into the mitts of Peirson. It’s Pattinson with the breakthrough - the extra pace catching the batsman a little late in the stroke perhaps, and it’s another non-confident start from the team that’s sitting 1-9 on the ladder.
A-League - 36 min: More concern on the Wanderers home bench as Yeboah stays down after a nasty collision. He sees a few minutes of medical attention, but does appear to be right to re-join the play.
Now, it’s Kamau down after another heavy collision with a possible concussion scare. When you’re down on fortune it really does come like London buses.
A-League: Goal - disallowed! Western Sydney 1-0 Perth Glory
30 min: And have Perth doubled their lead? No, says the linesman - and replays suggest, correctly. Chianese in an offside position, but isn’t he in some form, the former Sydney FC flyer.
A relief for Babbel. Can that reprieve give his side a mini morale boost?
It’s the visitors who are sent in to bat first after the Heat won the toss. A very tame opening from the two experienced batsmen - no Aaron Finch of course, who’s over in India with the Australian team who have their own limited overs match going on.
24 min: There’s a fascinating ebb-and-flow to this one already, as Perth break swiftly with Castro alert, as ever.
It’s a hugely tricky situation for Babbel now - sides coached by Tony Popovic, as we’ve seen over the history of the A-League, are terrific front runners. With the experience inside this Perth side and the confidence in the camp right now, you can’t imagine them ceding their advantage anytime soon.
11 min: What a horrific start for the home side, and in all fairness to Babbel - how do you coach for play like that - from a vastly experienced A-League defender? That was shambolic from McGowan. Let’s see what kind of response this prompts from his ten colleagues in red and black.
6 min: A very early yellow card for visiting striker, Bruno Fornaroli for a high foot in the face of Patrick Ziegler. But his fortune turns very quickly.
It’s a poor pass out of defence from Dylan McGowan that is picked off by Jake Brimmer, who feeds the Uruguayan who benefits from a double riccochet of first McGowan, then the body of the keeper Lopar!
1 min: And we’re away in Parramatta! It has been said, at length, but it’s worth re-iterating: a big, BIG, match for the Wanderers, whose leadership will be well and truly appraising the entire Babbel project on results like today. He is very much on borrowed time, the German, as pointed out in our A-League column from a few weeks back.
They did have Simon Cox, the new star striker signed from England’s League One midweek, in the house, so that’s at least a bright spot on the horizon for Wanderers’ fans, and a sign perhaps that the German might yet have a little more breathing room.
We’re not a million miles away from first ball in the BBL Heat v Renegades clash. Technically it’s 6 v 8; but there’s a lot on the line given how import the two competition points could prove for Brisbane’s finals hopes. More from the Gabba shortly, but first to the A-League.
A team that’s lost seven of it’s last nine plays a team that’s won five straight. But, as we’ve seen in the A-League, anyone can beat anyone if they’re on the money.
Nau mai, haere mai to all and sundry, from wherever you’re reading our blog around the world tonight!
Are you a Wanderers fan backpacking through Budapest; a Heat fan in Honduras? Drop us a line and join the conversation tonight, as always via email or twitter.
We’ve got one last game of A-League for the round and then a bit of BBL action as well. Thoughts, predictions, musings?
We’ve already seen two coaching sackings in the A-League in recent weeks. Could a bad result in Western Sydney prompt a third? Find out here, on Sportwatch.
W-League: Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 Perth Glory
The Wanderers keep the pressure on Melbourne City at the top of the W-League after leading for almost the entirety of the match to down Perth Glory. Glory remain winless.
Hobart Hurricanes 176-6 (Adelaide Strikers win by 10 runs)
David Miller kept them in with a sniff right until the final over but it’s another poor day at the office for the Hurricanes who extend their dismal run of form. Adelaide’s stars, like Rashid Khan, didn’t fire, but the explosive hitting of Travis Head and the death bowling of Peter Siddle proved enough to see the Strikers move up to second on the BBL ladder.
20th over: Hurricanes 176-6 (Miller 90, Rogers 2) Nothing Miller can to with yet another superb yorker, this time accepting the single. Rogers can only inside-edge for another single as Siddle’s death over clinic continues. Miller finally gets hold of one, the last ball of the day, a low full toss, but it’s a pyrrhic six with the Strikers already assured of victory.
19.3 over: Hurricanes 168-6 (Miller 81, Rogers 1) Dot ball - slapped to cow corner but fielded and the single declined. The Hurricanes have to deal in sixes now.
19.2 over: Hurricanes 168-6 (Miller 83, Rogers 1) Siddle to Miller - dot - nutmegging the batsman with a leg-side yorker. Two from ball two, another perfectly executed yorker, this time outside off stump.
19th over: Hurricanes 166-6 (Miller 81, Rogers 1) The tempo drops when Miller can only cut Neser for one and Rogers can only bunt an attempted ramp for a single into the leg-side. The final ball of the over is also a single, after some excellent work on the square-leg fence from Rashid Khan.
21 required from the final over. Miller on strike.
18.3 over: Hurricanes 163-6 (Miller 79, Rogers 0) Miller follows up his six with a two then another six! Straight and clean and pure, drilled like a sweet six-iron. We have a game!
18.1 over: Hurricanes 155-6 (Miller 71, Rogers 0) Neser’s first ball is swung by Miller in a pure arc for six out of the ground over square-leg. 96m hit. Pure and massive. New ball required.
18th over: Hurricanes 149-6 (Miller 65) Miller took the strike following Bailey’s dismissal and he launches Agar miles over backward square-leg for six to recharge the run chase. Rose joins in the fun, lofting elegantly for four over mid-off, then he steps back and cuts hard towards third-man where Siddle runs around and takes the catch! Nothing going Hobart’s way this afternoon.
an improbable 38 from two overs is the task facing the Hurricanes. Miller on strike.
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