South Geelong: Tim Seifert’s magnificent century and Will Sutherland’s economical bowling helped Melbourne Renegades to a 14-run win over Brisbane Heat in the second match of the Big Bash League (BBL) at the GMHBA Stadium on Monday.
Batting first, the Renegades posted 212 for 5 in 20 overs, aided by a century-plus partnership between Centurion Seifert and Oliver Peake for the fourth wicket.
The Renegades made a contrasting start to their innings as they were all out for 82 in 10 overs with Josh Brown (15), Mohammad Rizwan (four) and Jake Fraser-McQuirg (14) all out.
Meanwhile, Seifert, who held one end firmly during the Renegades’ first-half innings, eventually found subtle support at the other end in the form of Peek, and the duo turned the game around with a lively partnership.
The duo put on 121 runs off 54 balls before being dismissed in the last over by Jack Wildermuth.
Seifert, who was the top scorer for the Renegades with 102 off 56 balls with nine fours and 6 sixes, scored 57 off 29 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes.
Wildermuth took 3 for 34 from his four overs, with Patrick Dooley and Xavier Bartlett picking up a wicket each.
Chasing a tough target of 213, Heat managed to post 198/8 in the allotted 20 overs despite half-centuries from veteran opener Colin Munro and wicketkeeper-batsman Jimmy Pearson.
Munro top-scored with 55 off 32 balls, while Pearson scored 50 off 22 balls. Hugh Weibgen made a brave contribution with 38 from 20, but their combined efforts could not lead their team over the line and they fell by 14 runs.
Sutherland was the best bowler for the Renegades with 3 for 33 from his four overs, while Gurinder Sandhu and Jason Behrendorff claimed 2 each.
The win helped Melbourne Renegades finish second in the BBL 15 standings, behind Perth Scorchers due to their lower net run rate.