Dan Christian’s crucial knock of 31 not out saw the Melbourne Renegades book their spot in the Big Bash League final

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Dan Christian came up clutch for the Melbourne Renegades as he struck an unbeaten 31 to help them skirt past the Sydney Sixers by three wickets and advance to the Big Bash League final.

The Renegades will go up against the Melbourne Stars in the final as they defeated the Hobart Hurricanes by six wickets.

Being put in to bat first, the Sixers got off to a brilliant start as openers Josh Philippe and Daniel Hughes amassed an 87-run partnership, during which Philippe brought up his half-century, before he was dismissed by Cameron Boyce for 52, which came off 31 balls and included seven boundaries and a six.

Hughes went on to score a 32-ball 52, which included four boundaries and two sixes, before he too was sent packing by Boyce.

James Vince made a quickfire 28 before he was caught by Renegades captain Aaron Finch at square leg off the bowling of Harry Gurney.

With skipper Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk smashing 28 and 17 respectively, the Sixers finished on 180/3.

Boyce was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Gurney chipped in with one.

Chasing 181 to win, the Renegades were dealt a big blow on the fourth ball as opener Marcus Harris was clean bowled by Steve O’Keefe for four runs.

Sam Harper and Finch made up for the loss of Harris with a 46-run stand before Harper was caught behind off the bowling of Ben Dwarshuis for 36.

Finch and Cameron White added 51 runs to the score before White was clean bowled by Sean Abbott for 29.

Mackenzie Harvey and Tom Cooper fell in quick succession, while Finch went on to score a 41-ball 44, which included four boundaries, before he was cleaned up by O’Keefe.

Despite Boyce being removed shortly after, Christian came to the rescue and carried the Renegades across the finish line with one ball to spare with his unbeaten knock of 31, which came off 14 deliveries and included three sixes.

Dan Christian finished unbeaten on 31 from 14 balls including these three awesome sixes.

CLUTCH 💪 #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/xZ50v0V4T7

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 15, 2019

O’Keefe and Dwarshuis took two wickets apiece, while Abbott, Henriques and Mickey Edwards claimed one wicket each.

Christian was named Man of the Match.