Jake Fraser-McGurk catch illuminates Melbourne Renegades win over Adelaide Strikers

After claiming the wooden spoon in the last two campaigns the Renegades, without captain Aaron Finch, got off to a winning start in BBL 11

Marvel Stadium: Melbourne Renegades 153-9, Adelaide Strikers 154-6 - Melbourne Renegades won by two runs

Melbourne Renegades got their men's Big Bash League campaign off to a winning start after defending 154 to beat Adelaide Strikers at Marvel Stadium.

James Pattinson produced a fine final over, concerning just six and taking a wicket, to deliver victory in the absence of captain Aaron Finch.

The Strikers looked in control of the chase for long periods, claiming the Bash Boost having reached 82 for 2 at the mid-way point.

Fifty-eight were needed from 42 balls before a decisive 14th over during which Harry Nielsen (30) was dismissed and Ryan Gibson (8) was forced to retire hurt.

Victory still felt like a formality when Strikers took the power surge, needing 33 from 18 balls, and they reduced that to nine from the final over.

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Pattinson, who retired from international cricket in October, was entrusted with the final over during which he mixed up his lengths and restrict the 2017/18 champions to six.

Renegades, without skipper Finch due to a knee problem that kept him out of the opening game, made 153 for 9 from their 20 overs.

Despite putting on a reasonable total, it was not without a late collapse from 114 for 2 in the 15th over. Mackenzie Harvey top-scored with 53 but his departure sparked a loss of seven wickets for 39.

Peter Siddle finished with 3 for 42 while George Garton, on BBL debut, and Daniel Worrall claimed two wickets apiece.

Zahir Khan (3 for 24) dismissed openers Jack Weatherald (18) and Matthew Short (29) but it was the exit of the former that illuminated the contest.

Harry Nielsen top-scored in the chase.

Weatherald got hold of a slog sweep which was brilliantly plucked out of the air on the boundary by the balletic Jake Fraser-McGurk. "It sort of reminds me of Ben Stokes in the World Cup. It is one of those instinctive things. I got a few of those in the practice so I am glad it came off," he said after the game.

Strikers never looked in danger, however, but after picking up the bonus point at the halfway stage the chase fell apart. First, Nielson holed out to Harvey on the rope before Gibson was forced off with a leg problem.

Will Sutherland and Kane Richardson kept the scoring rate down before Strikers took the power surge with three overs remaining. Three fours off Reece Topley and two more from Richardson's fourth set up a routine looking final over.

But Pattinson had other ideas, preventing Wes Agar and Daniel Drew from finding the boundary to secure the most unlikely of wins.