Melbourne Stars consign rival Renegades to record low Big Bash League score

The Renegades were routed for just 57 in only 12.4 overs.

The Stars have built their reputation in the Big Bash League's early seasons on having a spread of performers capable of playing important roles for the side.

It was fitting then, that it was an even performance which saw them break through for a much-needed victory, resuscitating their season with a commanding win in front of 33,430 who battled the heat and made it to Docklands.

Six Stars bowlers shared the wickets, with none taking more than two, while of the batsmen, only Luke Wright (39) passed 30.

Nevertheless it was a ruthless showing from Cameron White's side.

The early work of Jackson Bird and Michael Beer put paid to any hopes the Renegades had of hauling in the Stars' tally of 169.

Up against his former side, Matthew Wade failed, floating a ball from Bird to Beer in the second over to be out for four.

Beer — acquired this season by the Stars from the Perth Scorchers — seemed to be involved in everything, taking the critical wickets of Aaron Finch (8), and Callum Ferguson for a duck.

When Bird trapped Ben Rohrer lbw for one in the following over, the hosts were 4/13 after just 20 balls, and the Stars could taste a maiden victory for the season.

John Hastings soon had Dwayne Bravo caught behind, giving the flamboyant West Indian a friendly sendoff to counteract his own earlier post-wicket theatrics.

James Faulkner claimed Andre Russell's scalp – taken by Wright a few metres inside the cover boundary. At 6/28, the Scorchers' record of 69 all out against the Stars two summers ago seemed in genuine danger of being broken.

Even Glenn Maxwell, still hopelessly out of form with the bat, was able to chime in the next over, when he capped a forgettable night for James Pattinson, dismissing the Australian quick for one.

Scott Boland who soon got in on the act, joining the wicket-taker's list when Tom Cooper dabbed one straight back for 10, making the score a scarcely believable 8/40, before Hastings and Boland (via a run out) put the Renegades out of their misery.

The Stars had earlier hauled themselves to 169 despite lacking a true standout performance.

Englishman Wright took advantage when Russell sent down a chest-high no-ball to him which was duly dispatched for six. The ensuing free-hit was then guided to the deep backward square-leg boundary.

Soon after this, he hooked the West Indian straight down the throat of Callum Ferguson at deep midwicket. The Renegades had been staring down the barrel of a huge Stars total before Wright was dismissed, but that wicket precipitated a collapse which saw the visitors lose 4/44 in 46 balls. It also saw David Hussey retire hurt after taking a rising ball from Russell on the hand.

Bravo, in his final game for the Renegades before he departs to join the West Indies Twenty20 team in South Africa, took the game by the scruff of the neck when brought on in the 14th over.

The Stars' lull set in as leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, back in the side, combined with Finch to stem the flow. Ahmed did not take a wicket in his four overs, which went for just 22.

Maxwell's fortunes with the bat did not not improve despite being demoted to No. 6, pulling Bravo into the hands of Callum Ferguson. The new year began much like 2014 had ended: with a low score.

Either side of that period, the Stars batted well. Some late swinging by Tom Triffit ensured that the Renegades would still have a decent chase to win.

Second up from a spell, Pattinson acquired cricket's version of the yips in his first over. It took five balls for his second legitimate delivery of the night to bowled, by which time he had gone for seven wides, and had a catching opportunity fluffed by Wade – who did not attempt to take a ball which flew off White's bat between the keeper and second slip. Channel Ten commentator Adam Gilchrist labelled it "a keeper's catch".

Kevin Pietersen, also making a return after his Christmas sojourn back home, failed to stamp his substantial presence on the game, skying one from Bravo to end a frustrating stay at the crease.

It didn't matter, come night's end the Stars again ruled the town.