Will Sutherland stars as Renegades top Scorchers in close finish

The Melbourne Renegades eked out a four-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers on Tuesday in Perth, denting the home side’s title hopes in the 2024-25 BBL.

The victory, which came on the second-to-last ball as the Renegades successfully chased down 148, had led cricket bookmakers to lengthen the Scorchers’ title odds this season.
Perth were formerly second-favourites to win the league, paying $5 behind the Sydney Sixers ($3.50) at Big Bash bookmakers.

However, back-to-back losses have shifted their outright cricket betting odds to $8 – the fourth line of betting, after the Hobart Hurricanes ($4.33) and Sydney Thunder ($5.50) as well and alongside the Brisbane Heat.

Tuesday evening could have ended much worse for the Scorchers, with the side batting first and slipping to 6/86 and then 8/114.

A strong rearguard effort spearheaded by captain Ashton Agar (51* from 30) gave Perth’s total some semblance of respectability and almost seemed enough after the Renegades too found themselves in all sorts of trouble.

The visitors began terribly, slipping to 4/10 as the Scorchers’ pacers tore up their top order.

Only Marcus Harris (21 from 26) provided a little resistance, but when he fell to leave Melbourne at 5/44, live betting odds were against the Renegades.

Will Sutherland (70 from 45) and Tom Rogers (49* from 31) saved the day however, putting on a 92-run stand for the sixth wicket, with the latter carrying his bat to take his side over the line with two balls to spare.

“I really wanted to get a really good job out here tonight,” Rogers shared after winning player of the match.

“I was planning on doing it with the ball but it was nice with the bat.

“The Chief (Will Sutherland) stuck around and swung a bit of momentum for us and I could contribute in the end.”

Rogers revealed that disappointment in their last game’s result – where they lost in the final over to the Melbourne Stars – motivated the Renegades to get over the line in this match.

“I was really ashamed thinking I let the boys down against the Stars,” said Rogers, who went for 12 from the final over last Saturday.

“We were so disappointed the other night.

“It was there for the taking and there were a couple of key moments that led us down and we had to win that game the other night to stay in touch with the competition.

“It was do or die really tonight.

“So I’m really glad we got the win.

“Hopefully we can swing a bit of momentum our way.”

Neds Bookmaker still have the Renegades at long odds to win the BBL14, with odds of $11 for the sixth-placed side to claim their second title.

Next up, they face the Melbourne Stars on Sunday in a rematch of last weekend’s game.

Sports news