D'Arcy best with bat and ball but Strike come up short in Top End T20

Callan Morse Published August 14, 2024 at 4.30pm (AWST)

NT

A Player of the Match performance from D'Arcy Short wasn't enough to see the NT Strike overcome the Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday. (Image: Patch Clapp Photography)

A half-century and team-best bowling performance from D'Arcy Short wasn't enough to see the NT Strike overcome the Melbourne Renegades in Darwin's Top End T20 tournament on Tuesday.

Opening the batting for the Strike at Marrara Oval, the Migunberri star scored 66 (49) - his third notable contribution with the bat in four innings - to lead the home side to a competitive first innings total of 7-176.

After starting the tournament in scintillating fashion against the Perth Scorchers on Friday, the hard-hitting left hander was again at his damaging best, finding the boundary nine times as well as hitting two sixes to strike at 134.69.

The Strike were cruising and in control of the match at 1-112 towards the end of the 13th over before Short's 49-ball innings came to an end from what commentators called "probably the worst ball bowled" by the Renegades to that point in the match.

Short struck nine boundaries and two sixes on the way to a game-high 66 (49). (Image: Patch Clapp Photoraphy)

Short's dismissal came from a wide Fergus O'Neill full toss which Short top edged, skying the ball to Harry Dixon who took a regulation overhead catch at extra cover.

Following Short's dismissal the Strike's run rate dipped as they went on to lose 5-64 in the final seven overs of the innings.

Opener Jake Weatherald (29 from 21) who partnered with Short in a 90-run opening wicket stand and Lachlan Bangs (28 from 16) were the Strike's next best with the bat.

The Renegades started the chase in strong fashion through openers Harry Dixon (28 from 19) and former Australian Test opener Marcus Harris (51 from 38), who put on 53 for the opening wicket.

Short was the Strike's best with the ball in their narrow loss to the Renegades, finishing with 2-21 (4). (Image: Patch Clapp Photography)

Following the dismissal of Dixon, Short bagged his first wicket in Mackenzie Harvey (2 from 4) and later clean bowled Renegades captain Will Sutherland (30 from 13), however the Renegades recovered through Jai Lemire (29* from 17) and Matt Hennig (11* from 10) to chase down the Strike's total with an over to spare.

Short finished with economical figures of 2-21 from his four overs, his all-round performance earning him Player of the Match honours.

The loss sees the Strike second on the competition points table with two wins and two losses, with Short leading all scorers with 188 runs at 47 partway through the tournament.

The Strike's next match is a night fixture agains the Melbourne Stars on Wednesday.