Melbourne Renegades lucky charm Dan Christian became part of his seventh career Twenty20 title-winning team after his player-of-the-match performance helped his side to an unlikely win over the Melbourne Stars.
Christian (38 runs from 30 balls) combined with Tom Cooper (43 from 35) for an unbeaten 80-run partnership from 58 balls after the Renegades slumped to 5-65 after being sent in at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
He then turned in figures of 2-33 from four overs as the Stars lost 7-19, taking the wickets of Seb Gotch and danger man Dwayne Bravo.
It was a standout performance that helped the 35-year-old to his second BBL title, having won with the Brisbane Heat in BBL02, after tasting success in South African, English and Caribbean leagues.
"I think I've just been really lucky with the teams that I've played with," Christian said.
"These (Renegades) guys were wonderful guys to play with.
"But it was a bit of a weird one with this team ... we scrapped really well all year.
"We didn't dominate anyone in any game, we just kept pulling rabbits out of a hat somewhere or somehow whether it be with the bat or the ball."
Batting down the order, Christian made 254 runs and took 15 wickets after he was lured from the Hobart Hurricanes at the end of last season.
Even with his extensive T20 resume, Christian struggled to remember a comeback from the depths of despair as jaw-dropping as the Renegades' stunner against the Stars.
"It was a pretty special one ... I've never been part of a team that's come back from a situation like that," he said.
"(They were) 0-93 chasing 146 ... it was just extraordinary.
"We were 5-65 then fought back well.
"Then the Stars came out and played really well then we fought back well again.
"It's a testament to the guys and the way they played all season, I think."
A SNAPSHOT OF BBL08:
Champions: Melbourne Renegades (first title in franchise history)
Minor premiers: Hobart Hurricanes (10 wins)
Player of the tournament: D'Arcy Short (Hobart Hurricanes)
Most runs: D'Arcy Short (Hobart Hurricanes) - 637
Most wickets: Kane Richardson (Melbourne Renegades) - 24
Highest score: Callum Ferguson (Sydney Thunder) - 113 not out
Best bowling: Josh Lalor (Brisbane Heat) 5-26
