Pietersen, spinners trample Renegades

Melbourne Stars 7 for 200 (Pietersen 73, Quiney 51, Pattinson 3 for 44) beat Melbourne Renegades 9 for 154 (White 38, Zampa 3-19, Beer 3-32) by 46 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details

A majestic innings from Kevin Pietersen and attacking legspin bowling from Adam Zampa saw Melbourne Stars thrash the Renegades by 46 runs in the season’s second Melbourne derby.

Pietersen elegantly swept his first ball for six and did not look back, driving strongly over cover and pulling handsomely through the legside.

The 200 he set up never looked likely to be chased by the Renegades, and they crumbled in a heap, but limped through their 20 overs. The emphatic result lifted Stars to four points, level with the Renegades; both teams are in the frame for finals with four games each remaining.

The Quiney question A few weeks ago, Rob Quiney did not seem likely to play much of a role for Stars. He made 23 runs in three innings last year, barely got a game in the Matador Cup, and hasn’t played for Victoria in the Shield this season. He had grade cricket as preparation.

But he made an excellent 75 in their opening win against Hobart Hurricanes, before missing two games – both defeats – with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Stars’ batting looked horribly top-heavy. His return – a brilliant display of ball-striking, particularly through the legside – set Stars off to a flyer, providing Pietersen with a platform and returning Glenn Maxwell to his more natural position at No. 4. After Quiney skied a Trent Lawford legcutter to square leg, Pietersen and Maxwell shared a …

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