In a dramatic and high-scoring Big Bash League encounter at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, the Melbourne Renegades secured an impressive 14-run victory over the Brisbane Heat, headlined by a blistering century from Tim Seifert and a sensational bowling ban for debutant Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Seifert and Peake Light Up a Chilly Geelong Night
New Zealand powerhouse Tim Seifert announced his arrival in BBL|13 with a spectacular maiden century for the Melbourne Renegades. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 102 runs from just 56 deliveries, an innings peppered with nine fours and six sixes. His knock was the cornerstone of the Renegades' formidable total of 5-212, which stands as the highest score ever recorded at the Geelong venue.
Seifert found a devastating partner in young local talent Oliver Peake. The 19-year-old Geelong product announced himself on the big stage with a scintillating 59 from 29 balls, becoming the second-youngest player in BBL history to score a half-century. Their fourth-wicket partnership of 121 from a mere 57 balls completely shifted the momentum of the match, leaving the Heat's bowlers searching for answers.
Adding a layer of concern, Seifert did not take the field for the Heat's innings due to a side muscle complaint, with Mohammad Rizwan taking over the gloves as a precautionary measure.
Shaheen Afridi's BBL Debit Ends in Controversy
The match took an extraordinary turn during the Brisbane Heat's defence when their marquee signing, Pakistan one-day captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, was sensationally banished from the attack by the umpires. Making his BBL debut, the left-arm quick delivered two full-toss no-balls above waist height in the same over, which were deemed dangerous under the playing conditions.
This forced him out of the attack after bowling just 2.4 overs, which had conceded 45 runs. The dramatic 18th over, eventually completed by acting captain Nathan McSweeney, ballooned to nine balls and cost 22 runs, decisively swinging the game in the Renegades' favour.
Channel 7 commentators Theo Doropoulos and Aaron Finch noted it was an "off night" for the star bowler, suggesting the pressure of expectation and an inability to nail his variations, particularly a slower ball, contributed to his struggles.
Heat's Valiant Chase Falls Short
In pursuit of 213, the Brisbane Heat, hampered by injuries, showed great fight. Opener Colin Munro provided a rapid start with 55 from 32 balls, while wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson launched a late assault, blasting 50 from just 22 deliveries. However, the regular loss of wickets and the mounting required rate proved too great a challenge.
Renegades captain Will Sutherland led from the front with the ball, taking 3-33 from his four overs, including the key wickets of Munro and Peirson. Opening bowler Xavier Bartlett was the standout for the Heat with an economical 1-24 from his full quota.
The night began solemnly with players and fans observing a moment's silence following the Bondi terrorist attack, before the cricket provided a thrilling and at times chaotic spectacle for the Geelong crowd.
