Sam Harper dominates in Renegades’ BBL win

Sam Harper made 89 off 48 balls to lead the Melbourne Renegades to a six-wicket win over Hobart. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Sam Harper has made a stunning return to form with a career-best innings to lead the Melbourne Renegades to a six-wicket BBL win over the Hobart Hurricanes.

Harper had struggled in five previous digs this season, averaging 5.4 with three ducks to his name.

His latest effort got off to an inauspicious start when his indecision led to returning Test squad member Marcus Harris being run out.

But the diminutive wicketkeeper quickly refocused and settled into a groove at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, blasting 89 off 48 deliveries.

The brilliant innings included seven sixes before Harper was eventually out caught by Tim David off Nathan Ellis (1-13).

“It can get you a little bit mentally when you keep missing out but all you can do is keep working hard and hopefully the results can come, so it was nice to get a few (runs) tonight,” Harper said.

“I feel like I’ve been batting reasonably well all year, right from the start of the Shield season and even in the nets.

“I just a couple of times tried to hit one of my first or second balls for six, which was a bit silly.

“I just gave myself a few extra balls tonight and maybe I should do that a bit more often.”

Jon Wells (22 not out) and Will Sutherland (4 no) guided the Renegades home as they reached 4-164 in reply to the Hurricanes’ 8-162 with 11 balls to spare.

The result lifted the Renegades (5-4) into the top half of the ladder as they chase a finals berth after three consecutive wooden spoons, while the Hurricanes (3-5) are slipping further away.

Harper was given a lifeline on 59 through Riley Meredith’s dropped catch – the Hurricanes’ 15th in eight matches.

The visitors were made to pay as the Renegades took the power surge at the start of the next over, in which Harper whacked 26 runs off Joel Paris.

“We’ve got to take our chances, it’s as simple as that,” Hurricanes batter Ben McDermott said.

“We had Harper there and he ended up going on to win them the game.

“It’s disappointing and it doesn’t need to be said – we just need to take catches.”

Caleb Jewell (28 off 17) and fellow opener McDermott (28 off 23) threatened to post big scores after the Hurricanes were sent in to bat, but couldn’t cash in on their starts.

Kane Richardson (2-20) and Tom Rogers (2-40) led the Renegades’ fightback with the ball and the latter was also damaging in the field.

A five-wicket hero in his previous match, Rogers ran out danger men Matthew Wade and Tim David with direct hits.

The Hurricanes suffered a pre-match blow when they lost left-arm spinner Patrick Dooley to a finger injury during the warm-up.

Dooley – the Hurricanes’ leading wicket-taker and most economical bowler this season – suffered a cut on his left pinky finger in fielding practice and had it bandaged, meaning he was unable to bowl.

Australian Associated Press