The Melbourne Renegades have beaten the Sydney Thunder by 49 runs in front of 23,015 fans at Etihad Stadium. Needing 180 runs for victory, the Thunder failed to uphold the required run rate and have suffered their second loss of the season. 

Click play to hear all the 2nd Innings highlights and analysis from Tim Lane and Dean Jones.

1st Innings: Melbourne Renegades 7/179 after 20 overs.

The Melbourne Renegades came out swinging, captain Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris setting the tone early smacking them all over the park, putting on a partnership of 42 off 31 balls before Harris played a miss-timed shot straight into the safe hands of Cummins. Cameron White was next to the crease and only survived 4 balls before being given LBW off the bowling of Green, ‘A black night for White, lbw from Green and now he’s seeing red’ called Tim Lane. Leg spinner Fawad Ahmed came into the attack and Finch (63) mis-timed his shot and was caught deep by Gibson. West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo walked out to cheers around Etihad Stadium and played some big shots before being bowled by last seasons leading wicket taker Clint McKay for 24. The Renegades tailend showed some fight, with the last ball of the innings Sunil Narine smashed a massive six off the bowling of Andre Russell sending fireworks flying around Etihad Stadium, the Thunder now have the task ahead of them needing 180 for victory?.

Click play to hear all the 1st Innings highlights and analysis from Tim Lane and Dean Jones.

The Sydney Thunder have won the toss and elected to bowl.

The KFC Big Bash continues at Etihad Stadium tonight with the Melbourne Renegades playing host to reigning BBL champions the Sydney Thunder.

The Renegades will want to get their Big Bash campaign underway with a victory tonight, they haven’t played finals for the last three years and only managed to chalk up three wins last season. Despite not re-signing West Indian big-hitter Chris Gayle, the Renegades have bolstered their line-up in the off-season with the signing’s of Sunil Narine, Marcus Harris and Brad Hogg. Paceman James Pattinson will miss tonight’s clash due to injury but is set to return for the Renegades later in the summer.

Reigning champions the Sydney Thunder suffered a nine-wicket loss in their opening clash against cross town rivals the Sydney Sixers and will want to get their BBL campaign back on track. The Thunder will be without Usman Khawaja who has been recalled for national duties and Andre Russell will be without his black bat after CA withdrew its approval, noting the bat left black marks on the ball. The Thunder will go into the match confident in knowing the Renegades failed to win a single game at Etihad Stadium last season.

Click play to hear captain’s Aaron Finch and Ben Rohrer with their thoughts ahead of tonight’s clash.

Melbourne Renegades Squad: 

Aaron Finch (c), Marcus Harris, Cameron White, Callum Ferguson, Dwayne Bravo, Tom Cooper, Peter Nevill, Chris Tremain, Sunil Narine, Nathan Rimmington, Brad Hogg

Sydney Thunder Squad: 

Kurtis Patterson, Ryan Gibson, Eoin Morgan, Ben Rohrer (c), Jake Doran, Chris Green, Andre Russell, Patrick Cummins, Arjun Nair, Clint McKay, Fawad Ahmed