Teenage prodigy Oliver Peake produced a moment of extraordinary composure, silencing a hostile Perth Stadium crowd with a last-ball six to guide Melbourne Renegades to a dramatic four-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers in a pulsating Big Bash League (BBL) contest on Wednesday night.
Chasing a modest 128, the Renegades appeared to have squandered control after a promising start, slumping from 51 for 1 to 74 for 5 as boundaries dried up and pressure mounted. Peake, however, stood firm amid the chaos, finishing unbeaten on 42 and delivering the decisive blow when four were required off the final ball. He shuffled across his stumps and expertly paddled Aaron Hardie over fine leg for six, sealing victory in stunning fashion.
The drama intensified earlier when Peake was controversially given out on 15, caught by Scorchers captain Ashton Turner. A tense review overturned the soft signal after replays showed the ball had grazed the turf, triggering loud jeers from the home supporters. Unfazed, the 18-year-old responded in the best way possible, dominating a vital 42-run sixth-wicket stand with Will Sutherland and carrying the chase home under immense pressure.
Earlier, Renegades’ bowlers laid the foundation for the win, with Gurinder Sandhu claiming 4 for 28 to continue his excellent season and move to the top of the Golden Arm standings. Perth’s innings never fully recovered from early losses, and despite Aaron Hardie’s gritty 44, the Scorchers collapsed spectacularly, losing their final five wickets for just 16 runs to be dismissed for 127.
For Peake, who departed immediately after the match to join Australia’s Under-19 World Cup campaign as captain, it was a dream finale to his BBL season, a statement innings marked by courage, clarity and class well beyond his years.
