The Melbourne Renegades come into Sunday night’s game with an 0-3 record, another loss may mean curtains already for the defending champions. The Adelaide Strikers are sitting second on the table, undefeated coming off a quality win against the Melbourne Stars. The Renegades are getting starts with the bat with Shaun Marsh (134 runs) and Aaron Finch (107 runs) ranking in the top 15 run scorers, however they haven’t got enough contributions from their middle order batsmen. The Strikers hold a 6-4 head to head record over the Renegades.
The Renegades have made two changes to their squad that lost on Christmas Eve to the Hurricanes, with Joe Mennie and Will Sutherland come into the squad, replacing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Jack Wildermuth. The Strikers have brought in Liam O’Connor to replace Harry Conway in their squad that defeated the Stars on Friday night. Both sides will be at full strength for the crucial clash, as Cameron White will face his former side for the first time.
Melbourne Renegades Squad (13): Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Boyce, Tom Cooper, Dan Christian, Richard Gleeson, Harry Gurney, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Beau Webster
Adelaide Strikers Squad (13): Alex Carey (c), Wes Agar, Rashid Khan, Harry Nielsen, Liam O'Connor, Phil Salt, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Cameron White
BBL09 Renegades vs Stars Betting Tips
Renegades
The Renegades have been unable to capitalise on good starts with the bat as the top three of Sam Harper, Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh have combined for 110, 98 and 87 runs in their first three matches. But they haven’t been able to put together winning totals as they have lacked meaningful contributions from their middle order. Coming up against an in form Strikers batting line up, the Renegades will need Harper, Finch and Marsh to convert their starts if they are to be any chance of knocking off the undefeated Strikers.
Shaun Marsh has dominated at Marvel Stadium across the history of the Big Bash. In three matches he has scored 182 runs at an average of 60.66 including knocks of 99 not out and 76 not out. Crossing to the Renegades during the off season, Marsh gets his first opportunity to play at Marvel Stadium in red. Marsh has had a great start to the season, with 134 runs at an average of 44.66. The Renegades will need their star recruit to stand up with their season on the line.
Marsh Top MEL Batsman
$3.25
Strikers
The Strikers have started BBL09 strongly after the disappointment of missing out on the finals last season. Led by a dynamic batting line up that featuring Jake Weatherald (146 runs, 2nd most in the BBL), Alex Carey (145, 3rd most) and Jon Wells (141, 4th most). A quality win against the previously undefeated Melbourne Stars has only further added to the Strikers early season credentials. Peter Siddle’s timely inclusion has added more depth to a bowling line up that will be hard to get a hold of when they hit form. Rashid Khan has struggled to start the season and the Strikers are still undefeated, opposition sides should be very worried.
Alex Carey has been on fire this season scoring 145 runs at an average of 48.33 at a strike rate of 133. In a new position at number four, Carey has taken no time settling in with scores of 45, 55 and 45 to kick off his campaign. Against a bowling attack that has struggled to contain opposition batsmen this is a match up that will suit Carey to a tee, Marvel Stadium’s short square boundaries will be difficult for the Renegades to contain with Carey in such good form.
Carey Top ADL Batsman
$4.50
Prediction
Expect the Renegades to come out all guns blazing at Marvel Stadium for the first time in BBL09 with their season on the line, if they go 0-4 you can definitely put a line through their finals aspirations. The Strikers are in supreme form this season behind a batting line up that possess three of the top four run scorers in the Big Bash and if their bowlers begin to find form the Renegades will struggle to put up a winning total. The Strikers have a 3-1 head to head record over the Renegades at Marvel Stadium with a clear advantage with the depth of their batting line up and will be too strong for the Renegades who will slip to 0-4.
