A mature half-century from inexperienced opener Mackenzie Harvey has helped lift the Melbourne Renegades to 9-153 against the Adelaide Strikers.
The home side fielded a depleted top order for their BBL season opener at Marvel Stadium, with veteran duo Aaron Finch (knee) and Shaun Marsh (calf) out injured.
Test openener Marcus Harris and Australia A batter Nic Maddinson were also unavailable because of national duty.
Harvey took it upon himself to set the platform for the Renegades to post a competitive total before some tight Adelaide bowling restricted the hosts late.
The 21-year-old's 56 from 46 balls - a career-best knock in his 24th T20 match - spanned a 65-run opening stand with Sam Harper (33 off 28) before he was eventually out bowled by Rashid Khan (1-30).
Harper was brilliantly caught and bowled by Matt Short just as he threatened to put together a big innings.
Afghan fan-favourite Khan was unlucky not to have an earlier wicket when gloveman Harry Nielsen missed a chance to stump Harper.
BBL debutant James Seymour whacked his first ball for six off Peter Siddle and made a handy 23 from 14 for the Renegades.
He was one of two wickets for Daniel Worrall (2-26), who helped put the brakes on the hosts' innings by taking 2-3 in the 18th over.
Former Test quick Siddle was the Strikers' most expensive bowler, coughing up 36 runs from his first three overs.
But he fought back to claim the important wickets of Mohammad Nabi and Jonathan Merlo in the 19th over, finishing with figures of 3-42.
Siddle is captaining Adelaide in the absence of Travis Head and Alex Carey, with the duo featuring in Australia's Test side for the Ashes series-opener starting on Wednesday.
Australia's T20 skipper Finch had knee surgery before the recent World Cup and told Fox Sports he is "touch and go" for Thursday's Strikers-Renegades clash in Adelaide.
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