The Melbourne Renegades have sailed through their final group match in the Big Bash T20 League by defeating the Sydney Sixers by 29 runs.
The away side headed into the game knowing that they had already booked a place in the knockout rounds, while the Sixers had a large task on their hands to make the finals due to their seventh place in the ladder.
English batsman Alex Hales was drafted into the Renegades side just hours before the game following the removal of Marlon Samuels, who has dropped out of the remainder of the campaign due to injury. The 23-year-old became the standout player for the away side after claiming eight sixes in 89 from 52 balls.
While Hales completed his top-scoring debut, Ben Rohrer also contributed with 57 after getting dismissed by Josh Hazlewood and the Renegades set the chase for the Sixers with a score of 178-5.
The home side took to the crease and while Michael Lumb started off strongly, the batsman could only muster 21 before getting dismissed by William Sheridan.
Wickets began to tumble for the Sixers and Steve O'Keefe racked up the most runs for his side with 41 as the home team could only reach 149 after 20 overs.
Danielle Joynson
