The Wildest BBL Melbourne Derby Yet

The Wildest BBL Melbourne Derby Yet

As a whole, BBL12 hasn't quite lived up to previous Big Bash seasons whether it be a slump in crowds or a decline in action, BBL as a whole has been on a downfall. Last night at the MCG between cross town rivals Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades may have just lit a spark in the BBL whilst splitting Melbourne and the cricket world in two.

The Stars won the toss and elected to bat in a must win match in front of their home crowd. They had the Renegades up against the wall early with English fast bowler Luke Wood sending an out of form Sam Harper back to the sheds on his first ball. 

The Stars had their tails up with the Renegades already feeling the Heat it was time for the experience of kiwi import Martin Guptill to dig deep and find some runs. He did so making 32 before Guptill fell to the heat of Beau Webster.

Aaron Finch, who had been promising for the Gades so far throughout the season met a similar fate as Sam Harper going second ball making just 1 run.

Highlights

Shaun Marsh, Jonathan Wells and Mackenzie Harvey all made a hand full of runs as the innings came to a close it was looking like the Renegades would fall very short of the average 153 runs scored at the MCG.

With 2 balls remaining in the innings, Stars captain Adam Zampa ran up to the pitch to bowl to Harvey and instead of releasing the ball attempted to man cad Tom Rogers, the non-striker, a move in which is very looked down apon in the cricket world. 

To be fair to Zampa, Rogers was halfway to Punt Road before Zampa had let go of the ball and in rule book, had every right to man cad Rodgers.

The decision was reviewed by the on field umpire ad it was deemed not out although many have disagreed with this call.

Boo's filled the MCG as the innings finished and Zampa walked off the field with his teammates.

Rodgers would return to the field with the fresh white ball to open the bowling and he was fueled with anger. Knocking over both of the opening batsmen for under 2 runs. The carnage continued Will Sutherand and Afghani spin bowler Mujeeb both taking wickets as the Stars just crumbled under the pressure.

The Stars had an average of 9.09 runs per batsmen which was helped by a highlight for the Stars in Nick Larkin who made 48 not out and Hilton Cartwright who made 20 getting out to Rogers who ended the night with 5/16 off 4 overs winning MOTM.

The Stars were 33 runs short in the end and Zampa Said to reporters that Tom Rogers was "almost halfway down the wicket." 

"i was well within my right to do it, its in the rule book."

Will this be the start of a revival of BBL cricket? Let me know on my twitter @OfficialAflGuru