Run machine D'Arcy Short has led Hobart Hurricanes to a seven-wicket Big Bash League win over reigning champions Melbourne Renegades, who remain winless after three matches this season.
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Short, who's topped the BBL scoring charts the past two seasons, hit 60 from 45 balls as the Hurricanes chased down the Renegades total of 147 with five balls to spare.
Short was forced to pace his innings at Bellerive Oval after the Hurricanes fell to 2-25 early in the chase on Tuesday afternoon.
But he re-grouped with skipper Ben McDermott, who was unbeaten with a composed 51 from 48 balls.
The pair combined for a 74-run stand after Hobart quicks Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis and James Faulkner earlier set up the win with three wickets each.
"I had to pull it back it back a bit," Short said, referring to the early wickets.
"I've been trying to do it bit more the last few years, just batting longer into an innings and I guess changing the pace when I needed to.
"The longer I batted, the better off we were going to be."
It was Short's second BBL half-century this summer, having top-scored with 51 in the Hurricanes' opening win over Sydney Sixers in Alice Springs.
He was trapped lbw to legspinner Cameron Boyce in the 14th over but some late hitting from David Miller (25 from 15 balls) got Hobart home.
The South African import launched one massive six out of the ground.
The Renegades, the only BBL side without a win, are at the foot of the ladder.
Electing to bat, skipper Aaron Finch top scored with 50 from 37 but his side's innings fell away and culminated with a horror collapse of 6-14.
Meredith (3-26) had Finch caught at mid-wicket in the 14th over and then returned late to pick up the dangerous Dan Christian and Tom Cooper cheaply.
Youngster Ellis (3-15) broke through with his first BBL wicket, that of Shaun Marsh for 37, and was at one stage on a hat-trick.
On his return to the Renegades side, Test-experienced batter Marcus Harris was out for 20 to Faulkner (3-26).
"We're still taking plenty of positives out of the games," Boyce said.
"We're getting lots of starts with the bat and not kicking on, and that hurts you in this format."
The Renegades were at one stage 2-109 before being all out after 19.1 overs.
Australian Associated Press
