Defining moment ... the Renagades celebrate the wicket of Chris Gayle. Photo: Getty Images
IT WAS an all too familiar story for the Sydney Thunder on Friday night.
Just as it did last year, Chris Gayle's wicket triggered an awful collapse for the men in lime green.
The winless Thunder managed to post only 7-116 batting first against the Melbourne Renegades at ANZ Stadium.
While they were gallant with the ball, picking up five wickets, the Renegades always looked in control and cruised to victory, with 10 balls to spare, to bring up their second consecutive victory to start their Big Bash League campaign.
It was a disappointing effort with the willow from the Thunder, which was only compounded by a disappointing crowd of 7413, that led to them crashing to their seventh successive loss across two seasons.
''It definitely has to change,'' Gayle said. ''It was a slow track and it put off the batters a bit, but we as batters we have to try and consolidate and try and get a decent total, regardless of what sort of surface we're batting on.''
A cautious Gayle played out five dot balls to start the innings before stamping his authority on the match with a six over mid-off.
But just as it looked like the West Indian was settling in for the long haul, his carefree attitude cost him his wicket.
Running to the danger end after Usman Khawaja glided the ball to Darren Pattinson at backward point, Gayle's bat was caught in the surface, prohibiting him from sliding past the crease for what would have likely been a single.
Renegades spinner Muttiah Muralitharan admitted the run-out was a huge moment.
''Yes, definitely,'' the Sri Lankan said. ''Because if Chris goes on these short boundaries, especially straight, it's very hard [to stop]. We [did] really well.''
The Thunder were 1-24 when Gayle trudged off the field.
In the next nine overs the home side lost 6-36, leaving them reeling at 7-60 after 13.3 overs.
Ryan Carters and Chris Tremain combined for a 56-run stand off 39 balls to help guide the Thunder to a semi-respectable total.
The spinners did the damage for the Renegades in what was a methodical bowling display, with Aaron O'Brien picking up 3-15 off three overs, while Muralitharan claimed his first scalps in the Big Bash League, finishing with 2-16 from four overs.
Dirk Nannes bowled an inspired spell for Sydney, but his figures of 1-20 weren't a true reflection of how lethal the 36-year-old was with the ball, reaching a top speed of 148.5 km/h in a fiery spell.
''I'm feeling good, I haven't felt like this for years,'' Nannes said. ''I thought we bowled pretty well but we're just so short with the bat.''
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