BBL: Renegades set for a second consecutive wooden spoon

The Melbourne Renegades are set to finish last again on the BBL ladder after yet another defeat, and wicket-keeper Sam Harper says the side has run out of excuses.

Melbourne Renegades wicket-keeper Sam Harper says the time for excuses has run out for his bottom-placed side, who are on track for a second consecutive BBL wooden spoon.

Harper top-scored for the Renegades with 63 off 53 balls in their six-wicket loss to cross-town rivals Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Sunday night.

In yet another batting collapse, the Renegades lost their final seven wickets for just 30 runs in posting a below-par 150, which was chased down by the Stars with five balls to spare.

“It’s pretty disappointing, really. I mean there’s only so many times you can lose closely,” Harper said.

“You can say we’ve got a young side and a young batting line-up and all that stuff but we come here to win.”

The loss snuffed out any remote finals hopes for the Renegades who appear almost certain to take home back-to-back BBL wooden spoons under coach Michael Klinger.

Captain Aaron Finch has had a season to forget and has failed to pass 20 in his last six innings.

Finch had admitted to being “a little bit timid” at the crease and sought to take the “ultra-aggressive approach” in the derby.

Almost. Nearly.

Richo's face says it all.#FullTime | #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/pi9frYHGpU

— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 17, 2021

But the move didn’t pay off, as he was bowled by his close mate Glenn Maxwell from just the second delivery of the evening.

Attempting a quick single during his innings, Harper crashed into Stars quick Liam Hatcher during his follow-through, a collision that conjured memories of a similar clash with Hobart Hurricanes bowler Nathan Ellis last season that forced Harper to miss an extended period of time with concussion.

This time around, however, Harper was OK.

“Yeah all good,” he confirmed.

“For some reason I think he came off second best, which (doesn’t happen) too often with my height.”

In a tough season for the Renegades, young batsman Mackenzie Harvey has been one of their shining lights.

His derby innings (29 off 17) featured two powerful sixes but was cut short when he was eventually bowled by player of the match Hatcher (3-29).

“He’s going beautifully,” Harper said.

“He hits it to weird areas. He can hit it literally 360 (degrees) off different balls, and everyone’s seen what he can do in the field. What is he, 20? He’s a very exciting prospect for us moving forward.”

The Renegades can get revenge against the Stars on Wednesday night when the sides meet at Marvel Stadium.