The Strikers season is slipping away after falling to 1-4, and they travel to Melbourne needing a win to keep their season alive. The Renegades need a win to stay in the hunt for a finals position, check out our full preview below for this crucial clash!
BBL14 Renegades vs Strikers Betting Tips
Marvel Stadium, 2nd January, 7:15pm AEDT
Melbourne Renegades
Predicted XI: Josh Brown, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tim Seifert, Jacob Bethell, Laurie Evans, Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland, Fergus O’Neill, Tom Rogers, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson
A middle order collapse was the Renegades undoing in their eight run defeat to the Thunder on Tuesday. After being 1/51, the Renegades lost 5/45 to slump to 5/96, with only Laurie Evans’ 40 off 26 giving the Renegades a chance to get so close.
It was a missed opportunity for the Renegades failing to chase a gettable score that would have had them firmly entrenched in the top four. The Renegades are 2-2 and play the bottom two sides in their next two games, giving them a golden opportunity for a tilt at playing finals.
The Renegades need a lift from opening batsmen Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has struggled to make an impact through four games. Fraser-McGurk has scored 21, 5, 2 and 26, with his 26 against the Thunder coming at less than a run a ball. Fraser-McGurk is struggling for rhythm this season, with his strike rate of 112.50 well down on last season’s 158.64.
Adelaide Strikers
Predicted XI: Matt Short, Darcy Short, Ollie Pope, Chris Lynn, Alex Ross, Jamie Overton, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Boyce
The Strikers suffered their fourth loss from five games after a bizarre performance against the Scorchers on New Year’s Eve. After slumping to 8/58 in the eleventh over, Brendan Doggett (47* off 39) and Cameron Boyce (29 off 22) combined for a record breaking ninth wicket partnership to get the Strikers to 8/142.
The Strikers looked to be carrying the momentum when they had the Scorchers two wickets down for just five runs, however it was all downhill from there as the Scorchers cruised to a seven-wicket win. Six of Adelaide’s seven bowlers went at economy rates above 8.67, as the Strikers failed to contain Finn Allen and Cooper Connolly.
As shown in their last fixture without Matt Short, the Strikers don’t have many consistent contributors at the top of the order. Jamie Overton is their leading run scorer batting at number 6, which isn’t a sustainable way of winning if your top three aren’t your leading run scorers. It won’t be easy for them to change their fortunes on a difficult surface at Marvel Stadium.
Match Prediction
Marvel Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Strikers, who have lost four straight games against the Renegades at the venue. The Renegades have won four of the last six games between the two sides, and have a bowling attack that will give the Strikers batting unit plenty of difficulties on a tricky Marvel Stadium surface.
Adelaide’s batting unit is very one dimensional in their approach, which doesn’t suit the pitch at Marvel Stadium. This won’t be a high scoring affair, but the Renegades will outlast the out of form Strikers.
Melbourne Renegades to Win
$1.85 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bet
Tom Rogers has had an excellent start to BBL14, taking 8 wickets at an average of 14.12, the third most wickets in the competition. Rogers has been the Renegades leading or equal leading wicket taker in three of their four games this season.
Tom Rogers: Renegades Top Bowler
$4.20
