REN VS HEA KNOCKOUT

Right then, that is it from the Knockout game and it is Brisbane Heat who win and go through to the Challenger. They will now have to face Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday, the 2nd of February for a spot in the final against Perth Scorchers. That game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT) but you can join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Xavier Bartlett (4-0-18-3) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Bartlett says he is happy with the win. Adds that with Mitchell Swepson out, he was hoping to play. Says that he was doing his preparations at the back end. Lauds Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne for their contribution in the dressing room for him. Closes out by saying that he is looking forward to getting down to Sydney and doing well against the Sixers.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Usman Khawaja won the bat flip and put Melbourne Renegades into bat. After losing Martin Guptill really early, the Renegades regained their composure and Shaun Marsh showed that he still has the ability to come up clutch in big games. Sam Harper and Matt Critchley contributed a bit too but it was really Marsh who took them to a total of above 160 runs. As for Brisbane Heat, Xavier Bartlett bowled exceptionally well and picked up three wickets. Michael Neser showed consistency with two wickets of his own while James Bazley and Matthew Kuhnemann were taken to the cleaners. Coming to the chase, it was a clinical display of batting from the Heat led by their skipper Usman Khawaja and they got over the line with 7 balls to spare.

Melbourne Renegades had a decent total on the board but keeping in mind Heat's batting, they surely needed 15-20 runs more. It was their bowlers though who let them down as they couldn't create many wicket-taking opportunities. Tom Rogers though rounded up a stellar personal campaign with yet another fine bowling display. Their spinners bowled pretty decently but Will Sutherland had an off day. David Moody who had a shocker the last time he played, showed great control this time around and picked up a wicket. They did the best they could but the Renegades' campaign comes to an end.

Brisbane Heat had the in-form batters and they did get a fine start as well with the opening pair of Usman Khawaja and Josh Brown putting on 75 runs in just 53 balls. Brown departed but Khawaja continued his stay and notched up another half-century. He was well supported once again by Marnus Labuschagne and they stitched a 47-run stand as well. Both of them got out in the 16th over but Matt Renshaw put the pressure back on the opposition with a quick-fire cameo and sealed the win for his side.

The long road to the final continues for Brisbane Heat as they win back-to-back playoff games and go through to the Challenger game where they will now face Sydney Sixers for a place in the grand finale. As for Melbourne Renegades, it is the end of the road for them after a stellar campaign.

FOUR! CARVED! Brisbane Heat march their way into the Challenger. Full ball outside off, Sam Hain squeezes it through the cover-point region for a boundary. Brisbane Heat gets over the line and wins by 7 wickets. Terrific chase by Brisbane Heat.

Back of a length around off, Matt Renshaw drops it to the off-side and takes off for a quick single.

A dot ball here. On a length and shaping away from the batter, Matt Renshaw misses on the square drive.

Full and on the pads, Matt Renshaw clips it nicely in front of the wicket to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Back of a length on the leg stump. Sam Hain works it to deep square leg for one.

Tom Rogers (3-0-25-2) is back on to bowl the penultimate over of the game.

Slider down the leg, Sam Hain tucks it to short fine leg off his pads for a leg bye. Just 7 needed now.

Googly around off, Sam Hain goes back and works it through the backward point region for a couple.

Full and around off, Matt Renshaw drills it down to long-on for one.

Flat and around off, Matt Renshaw tucks it to mid-wicket region for another two.