Perth continue unbeaten streak against Melbourne Renegades

The Perth Scorchers maintained their dominance over the Melbourne Renegades after blasting their way to a comprehensive record-breaking win at Etihad Stadium.

Set 171 to win, the Scorchers’ run chase was set up by a record opening stand between captain Michael Klinger and discarded Australian batsman Shaun Marsh.

Klinger finished unbeaten on 90 from 58 balls with Marsh reminding Australian selectors of his talents in the shortened version of the game caressing 76 not out from 54 balls.

The defending champions reached the target with eight balls to spare in one of the most dominant performances in Big Bash League history.

It was the first 10-wicket victory in the Big Bash League and also the highest total scored in any Twenty20 contest around the world where a team has achieved that winning margin.

It was the Scorchers’ fifth win from as many matches against the Renegades.

The result is a major blow to the Renegades hopes of a semi-final finish, their second straight loss on their home deck at Etihad Stadium.

After an opening loss, tThe Scorchers have got their campaign back on track with consecutive wins.

The Renegades bowlers were treated with disdain as Klinger and Marsh effortlessly cruised through the innings.

They finished just one run short of the Big Bash League’s all-time opening partnership record.

Earlier, the Renegades were on track to set the Scorchers a target around 200 after openers Aaron Finch and Chris Gayle set up their innings with a 98-run opening stand in the first 11 overs.

But Jason Behrendorff turned the match on its head when he dismissed Gayle for 41 (35 balls) and then Cameron White the very next ball with a brilliant one-handed catch off his own bowling.

Finch hit six boundaries and three sixes in his knock of 72 from 48 balls before he holed out to Ashton Agar on the mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of David Willey.

Matthew Wade (35 from 25 balls) and Dwayne Bravo (14 not out from 10 balls) helped the Renegades reach 4-170.

But it was the tight bowling of Behrendorff (2-14 from four overs) and Andrew Tye (1-25 from four overs) that prevented the Renegades from posting the total they targeted at the half-way mark.