The quirky BBL12 fixture gives us another dose of red vs pink with the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers resuming hostilities on Friday night.
Sydney took the chocolates after a superb bowling effort on Wednesday; will the Renegades bounce back in front of home fans?
Josh Nevett provides his full match preview and BBL Betting Tips below.
BBL12 Renegades vs Sixers Betting Tips
GMHBA Stadium, Friday 30th December, 6:30pm (AEDT)
Melbourne Renegades
Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Nic Maddinson, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Jono Wells, Peter Handscomb, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Wednesday night’s game against the Sixers was the one that got away for the Renegades.
Chasing just 149 on a ground with a 55-metre boundary, Melbourne folded for the second game in a row, bowled out for just 115.
It’s a worrying trend that harks back to recent seasons, so the Renegades will be determined to turn things around with the bat in this game.
Fortunately, they now have their best batting line-up of the season on paper thanks to the additions of Martin Guptill and Shaun Marsh. While neither managed to get their side across the line on Wednesday, both veterans will be better for the run.
The form of Will Sutherland is another positive. After smashing 40 against the Hurricanes, the rising star took 2-22 against the Sixers, underlining his rounded skillset.
He will be a crucial player again on Friday if the Renegades are to exact some revenge.
Sydney Sixers
Predicted XI: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Phillipe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Todd Murphy
Three straight wins have the Sixers on the charge, after a slow start to BBL12.
As we’ve come to expect from the men in magenta, it’s the bowlers doing most of the work, with contributions coming from all the quicks and spinners.
Ben Dwarshuis led the way in his return on Wednesday night, taking 4-17 to dismantle the Renegades, but Jackson Bird and Sean Abbott were as damaging as ever.
Even more promising was the return to form of Josh Phillipe, who struck 55 off 40 at the top of the order to give Sydney a fast start. More will be required of Phillipe, Patterson and Vince if the Sixers are to go all the way this season.
Nevertheless, the Sixers now have a run of momentum that they will be hoping to maintain down in Geelong.
Match Prediction
If the Renegades are serious about playing finals in BBL12, they must turn their batting woes around in this match.
Back-to-back scores of sub-120 are unacceptable, especially from a batting group with so much experience.
Luckily, the Sixers haven’t been the most potent group with the bat either, so this could be another low scoring affair.
Despite their recent failures, I really like the look of the current Renegades line-up, and it’s a matter of time before one of their experienced hitters fires.
I also still have some doubts over the ageing Sydney squad.
As such, I’m backing the Renegades to get the points on home soil.
Melbourne Renegades
$2 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Recent tinkering with the Renegades line-up has boosted Sutherland’s role as a bowler. He took full advantage of this on Wednesday, snaring two wickets, and I expect him to break through again if similar opportunities are afforded to him.
On Wednesday night the first dismissal of each innings was caught, and only three of the 18 wickets for the night were not taken in this manner.
This bet saluted on Wednesday night, and I fancy it again. With the likes of Maddinson, Guptill, Finch and Sutherland, the Renegades have bundles of power with proven six hitters. On the other hand, Sydney’s line-up is comprised of accumulators, who are more likely to work the ball than aim for the stands.
Player to Take 1+ Wickets – Will Sutherland
Method of First Dismissal 1st Innings - Caught
Most Sixes – Melbourne Renegades
