Renegades stay alive as they overcome Scorchers in Perth

In what was among the finest comebacks witnessed in BBL history, Melbourne Renegades recovered from 10 for 4 to chase down the target of 148, sealing a four-wicket win over Perth Scorchers in Perth.

Skipper Will Sutherland (70 off 45) and Tom Rogers (49* off 31) put on a counterpunching 92-run stand that turned the game on its head. The duo had earlier also put up strong bowling displays to keep Perth in check.

The chase couldn't have gotten off to a worse start for the visitors as Jason Behrendorff (2-22) started with a double-wicket maiden. However, as is the case with most T20 games in Perth, it was about getting through the first ten overs and staying in the game as the back end is generally when majority of the runs are scored at the venue against the softer ball.

Sutherland showed great composure, unfurling deft touches and also displaying his power game according to the situation. Marcus Harris (21 off 26) gave some support as the pair added 37 for the fifth wicket with Sutherland being the aggressor.

After a passage of play when it was all about Sutherland, Rogers also joined in, as boundaries rained in Perth. Batting got easier and with the game going deep, the Scorchers uncharacteristically felt the heat. Sutherland and Rogers had to do something out of the ordinary to pull the game through for the Renegades, and their knocks were exceptional.

Finn Allen struck a boundary and a six in the first over but it was soon evident that the surface wasn't as batting-friendly as in the previous games. Ashton Agar (51* off 30) weighed in with a crucial innings to prop up the home side. Adam Zampa (3-27) was a bit expensive initially but bounced back with timely strikes through the middle overs and at the death.

Brief scores: Perth Scores 147/8 (Ashton Agar 51*; Will Sutherland 2-22, Tom Rogers 2-40) lost to Melbourne Renegades 150/6 in 19.4 overs (Will Sutherland 70, Tom Rogers 49*) by four wickets