Sam Harper fires Melbourne Renegades to Hobart Hurricanes victory

Sam Harper’s career-best 89 helped Melbourne Renegades claim a six-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes at Marvel Stadium.

The Victorian recorded his best score in senior white-ball cricket, cracking four fours and seven sixes from 48 deliveries.

It ensured Renegades safely chased down their target of 163 with 11 balls to spare.

Hurricanes, who have now lost three of their last four, managed to register 162 for 8 from their 20 overs after a stop-start innings.

Caleb Jewell and Ben McDermott both scored 28 and a late cameo from Joel Paris (16 not out, eight balls) ensured they posted a score.

They were pegged back thanks to a superb fielding display from Tom Rogers, who ran out first Matthew Wade (20) and then Tim David (9) with direct hits.

He capped a fine performance with the wickets of Jewell and Faheem Ashraf (26) to end the Pakistan allrounder’s first BBL innings.

Martin Guptill’s 36 from 19 deliveries put Renegades ahead in the chase but Hurricanes staged a comeback thanks to wickets for Riley Meredith and Joel Paris, while David ran out Marcus Harris.

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Team news

Travis Head and Alex Carey are available for Strikers post Test series with South Africa. Whether this game comes too soon remains to be seen but the hosts are desperate for reinforcements. Head will take over the captaincy, too.

Rasdid Khan has left for South Africa, Peter Siddle has a back problem and Chris Lynn has departed. Ben Manenti may be asked to be the No 1 spinner.

Possible XI: Short, Carey, Head, Hose, de Grandhomme, Kelly, Nielsen, Manenti, W Agar, Thornton, Conway

Melbourne Renegades are possibly hardest hit by the rival SA and UAE leagues. Mujeeb Rahman and Akeal Hosein leave and take 20 wickets with them. Fawad Ahmed has a lot on his plate as a replacement.

Marcus Harris is available again but he might not make much of an impact for a batting line-up that has struggled. An injury (another one) to Shaun Marsh is a major blow.