Adelaide Strikers are again leading the points table in the Big Bash League, 2017-18. They defeated the Melbourne Renegades by 26 runs on Monday. With this defeat, Renegades have dropped to the bottom half of the standings.

Winning the toss Melbourne decided to bowl first. Despite losing an early wicket, Strikers exhibited a fine piece of batting on the slow and low wicket in Dockland. They registered a total of 173 runs losing 5 wickets.

Strikers’ opener Jake Weatherald was bowled out by Tremain scoring 3 runs. Another opener Alex Carey made 32 runs before getting dismissed by Jack Wildermuth. Following his departure, Colin Ingram and Adelaide captain – Travis Head posted an 88-run stand for the 3rd wicket.

Travis scored 58 runs before Pollard bowled him out. In the last 2 balls of the innings, DJ Bravo bagged the wickets of Colin Ingram and Jake Lehmann. Ingram clubbed 68 off 36 before returning to the pavilion.

 Melbourne scored 147 runs for 7 wickets while chasing the big total. Brad Hodge’s unbeaten innings of 30 runs was the highest individual innings for the home side. Apart from that innings, their opener Marcus Harris made 25 runs and Tom Cooper scored 24, while no other batsman went past 20 runs.

Melbourne kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the batsmen could not build good partnerships as the side fell 26 runs short of the target. Colin Ingram was awarded the Man of the Match for his wonderful batting that helped Adelaide set an above par target.

Melbourne Renegades will take on Sydney Thunder in their next game on 24th January, while Adelaide Strikers will fight against Perth Scorchers to retain their lead on the following day.