Daijiworld Media Network - Melbourne
Melbourne, Dec 15: New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert delivered a strong statement ahead of the IPL 2026 auction with a scintillating century for Melbourne Renegades against Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League on Sunday, December 15.
Seifert’s commanding knock of 102 off 56 balls powered the Renegades to an imposing total of 212 for five and helped them secure a 14-run victory at Simonds Stadium in Geelong. His innings, studded with nine boundaries and six sixes at a strike rate of 182.14, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Anchoring the innings with authority, Seifert showcased his ability to accelerate through the middle and death overs, a trait highly valued in franchise cricket. He was dismissed on the final ball of the 19th over, having already inflicted decisive damage on the opposition. His effort overshadowed useful contributions from Oliver Peake, who scored a brisk 57, and a quick cameo from Jake Fraser-McGurk, as the Renegades maintained a run rate above 10 throughout.
With this knock, Seifert became only the second Melbourne Renegades batter to score a century in the BBL, joining former Australia captain Aaron Finch, who achieved the feat twice in 2020 and 2025.
The century comes at a crucial time for Seifert, who has registered for the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of Rs 1.50 crore. The auction is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. Although Seifert has featured in the IPL earlier, his opportunities have been limited. He made his debut with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021, playing one match, before appearing in two games for Delhi Capitals in 2022. He has remained unsold in subsequent auctions.
Across 293 T20 matches, the 30-year-old has scored 6,698 runs at an average of 28.62 and a strike rate of 134.63, including four centuries and 32 half-centuries. With this Big Bash League hundred, Seifert has underlined his match-winning potential and sent a timely reminder to IPL franchises ahead of the upcoming auction.