Sydney Thunder have capped a forgettable week with a 12-run Big Bash League loss to Melbourne Renegades at Spotless Stadium.
After being set 153 runs for victory, the Thunder were never able to find any momentum in their innings and managed just 5-140 from their 20 overs as the Renegades jumped into second spot on Tuesday.
The hosts would have leapfrogged the Renegades and the Sydney Sixers into second spot, behind the Hobart Hurricanes, with a win.
But after their clash with the Brisbane Heat was abandoned last Thursday, due to a light tower failure, and the points split, their loss to the Renegades leaves them in fourth and with a fight on their hands to make the finals.
Jason Sangha (54 not out) and Callum Ferguson (52) both posted half centuries for the Thunder however had no support around them.
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Shane Watson (1) cut a devastated figure after he was out chasing a Harry Gurney (2-27) short ball outside off stump and spent the rest of the innings in the dug out with his pads still on.
The Renegades were terrible in the field, dropping three regulation catches - with Gurney putting down two, including Sangha when he was on 49.
Questions will now be asked of skipper Shane Watson after he won the toss and elected to bowl on a pitch on which, during the last eight matches, the team batting first has won.
Earlier, the Renegades looked headed for a big total before they suffered a late collapse during which they lost their last five wickets for just 13 runs.
Aaron Finch anchored their innings with 54 off 38 however they looked rudderless after he was removed by Gurinder Sandhu (3-23).
Daniel Sams (3-29) was decisive, sending dangermen Cameron White (40) and Dan Christian (6) packing with back-to-back balls as he took his third three-wicket haul of the tournament.
With Marcus Harris on Test duty, the Renegades had a conundrum on their hands and took a massive gamble when they elected to open with spinner Cameron Boyce.
It was short-lived after Boyce - who has made 71 runs at an average of 11.83 this BBL season - was removed by Sams for a duck after just two balls.
The Thunder denied the Gabba controversy had proven a distraction, after Cricket Australia on Tuesday dismissed the Thunder's appeal for them to be awarded the full two points.
"We were told earlier today (that the Thunder had accepted CA's decision) in the team meeting and that's all behind us now," Ferguson said.
"We hadn't really talked about it since we left the ground at the Gabba until that was mentioned to clear the air for everyone."
Gurney acknowledged his performance in the field was under-par and praised the side for getting the job done despite some wobbles.
"Maybe on the way to the airport we'll find a grade ground and catch a few," Gurney said.
"Once the first one goes down, it always follows you. The second one was up there so long I knew it was going down, which is probably the wrong frame of mind. But luckily we got over the line."
