Mackenzie Harvey, the nephew of former Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey registered his highest T20 score as he carried Melbourne Renegades batting lineup on his back in the absence of skipper Aaron Finch. Mackenzie scored more than half of his team’s runs and carried his bat as other Renegades batters struggled and lost their wickets at regular short intervals.
Harvey anchors innings
The 21-year-old remained unbeaten for 71 off 56 deliveries including eight fours. He batted with a strike rate of 126.79. However, he did not have a single maximum in his innings. He reached his half-century off 43 deliveries with a boundary in the 14th over. He did the bulk of scoring in the innings whereas stand-in skipper Nic Maddinson scored a disappointing 21-ball 19.
The 71-run knock by the youngster helped Renegades post a below par total of 140 for six wickets as the middle-order including Mohammad Nabi collapsed in the ending stages of the innings. James Bazley was the pick of the bowlers for Brisbane Heat as he took three wickets for 28 runs in his four overs.
Easy run chase
In reply, Brisbane got off to a flier as Chris Lynn made full use of the fielding restrictions. The hard-hitting opener contributed with a 15-ball 32 cameo including five fours and one six. Brisbane lost wickets but Sean Heazlett held on to one end and scored an unbeaten 29-ball 44 to help his side over the line with 19 balls to spare. Heazlett’s knock included one four and three sixes. Towards the end of the run chase, Bazley made an impact with the bat as well with an unbeaten 12-ball 16.
Harvey’s run in tournament
This wasn’t the first half-century for Mackenzie. The left-handed batter scored 56 runs against Adelaide Strikers as well in the first game. In three games, he has scored 190 runs from three innings at an average of 95.
Uncle Harvey’s career
Ian represented Australia in 73 ODIs. Even though the 49-year-old does not have a single half-century to his name, the all-rounder was handy with his medium pace bowling taking 85 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 4.71. His highest score is 48 not out whereas in the bowling department his best is 16/4.
