Melbourne Renegades Champion League side reign victorious over Sydney Thunder Nation

The two sides were selected from the best players in the Melbourne Renegades Champions League (MRCL) and Sydney Thunder Nation (STN) competitions played over the summer, played by cricketers of South Asian origin.

There was no shortage of talent on display as the MRCL representative side defeated the STN representative side 2-1 in three close clashes.

All three bowler-dominated matches went down to the final over, with the Renegades winning the final two games on Wednesday to clinch victory. The MRCL side chased down Thunder Nation’s meagre total of 106 at six wickets down with three balls to spare.

MRCL team coach Chris Harris said all multicultural players and staff represented the Renegades admirably throughout the series.

“I’m very proud of the way this group of multicultural players and coaching staff represented the Melbourne Renegades,” Harris said.

Lots of hard work both on and off the field took place to secure this narrow win over the Sydney Thunder Nation.”

Skipper Ryan Ninan (from Kingston Hawthorn and India in the MRCL) shone bright with the ball, claiming five wickets while going at just 4 runs per over across the series. This included a phenomenal spell of 3/15 from four overs in the second match, setting up the Renegades’ first win with a double wicket maiden. Kamran Ali (Narre Warren CC, Afghanistan) was also important with the ball, taking four Thunder scalps.

Sunam Gautam (Greenvale CC, MRCL) and Akshay Kodath (Ivanhoe CC, India) led the way with the bat for the Renegades, scoring 71 and 66 runs respectively across their three innings. Gautam’s crucial knock of 39 of 42 balls steered the Renegades home in the final.

Hussain Hanif, Multicultural Participation Officer for Cricket Victoria, was delighted with the result of the tournament and believes it gives these players the opportunity to become multicultural ambassadors for their communities.

“What a brilliant initiative by the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder to bring the best Multicultural cricketers from New South Wales and Victoria together over two days,” Hanif said.

Both Big Bash franchises recognise that Australian society continues to evolve and become more diverse. The Melbourne Renegades Champions league squad members will now be upskilled as ambassadors for their respective communities.”

We look forward to the next instalment between the two representative sides in 2019.

Get Involved:

If you want to get involved in community T20 cricket, visit the Harmony In Cricket Association website.

The Harmony In Cricket Association is always open to registration for new clubs. You can register your interest for a new club here or by contacting Hussain Hanif at Hhanif@cricketvictoria.com.au