We’re heading out west for the second game of a Sunday BBL12 double header as the Scorchers host the Renegades at Optus Stadium. The Scorchers will be looking to sew up top spot, while the Renegades will be desperate for a victory to keep themselves in the top five.
Jack Tobin has you covered with his preview of Sunday night's clash, and for coverage on every game of BBL12, head to BeforeYouBet's BBL Tips page, for previews and tips for every game of the season. If you're going to have a Dabble, why not bet with Dabble?
BBL12 Scorchers vs Renegades Preview & Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Sunday 22nd January, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Perth Scorchers
Predicted XI: Cameron Bancroft, Stephen Eskinazi, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Ashton Turner, Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris
The Scorchers bowling attack tore through the Adelaide Strikers on Friday afternoon, en route to a seven wicket win. David Payne, Lance Morris and Peter Hatzoglou took three wickets as the Scorchers bowled out the Strikers for 92, to set up the convincing win. The Scorchers have nearly secured top spot, with either a Sixers loss in one of their remaining two games or a win on Sunday against the Renegades all that's required for the Scorchers to be hosting The Qualifier.
The Scorchers were also outstanding with the bat, mowing down the total of 92 with 53 balls to spare as Aaron Hardie continued his excellent season with 43 from 30 balls, just two days after he smashed an unbeaten 90 against the Hurricanes. Hardie is making a serious case for player of the tournament, sitting third in the competition’s leading run scorers with 452 runs at an average of 51 with a strike rate of 141. Hardie has a league best four half centuries in BBL12, in what has been a breakout season for the young all rounder.
Both Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff are expected to be available for this clash, which gives the Scorchers some headaches on how they structure their attack for their last game before the finals. Peter Hatzoglou and David Payne would be the most likely to make way, however it’s going to be seriously difficult given how well Payne and Hatzoglou have performed.
Melbourne Renegades
Predicted XI: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Martin Guptill, Sam Harper, Aaron Finch, Matthew Critchley, Jonathan Wells, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Fawad Ahmed
A poor showing with the bat and a sloppy performance in the field cost the Renegades a chance to secure their spot in the finals on Thursday night. The eight wicket defeat to the Thunder keeps them in the logjam that sees only two points separating the third placed Renegades from the seventh placed Hurricanes. A win from one of their last two games will likely secure a finals berth, however a tough task looms against the Scorchers.
The Renegades batting has been their weakness this season, posting a score above 180 once this season. Aaron Finch is the side’s leading run scorer with 279 runs, as the Renegades have relied on their bowling attack to win them games this season. However the prospect of winning games through their bowling attack has become much more difficult in the second half of the season with Akeal Hosein and Mujeeb departing for other tournaments.
The Renegades are going to need a special knock from either Finch or Sam Harper, who are the only players in the active side that have scored a half century in BBL12. In the Scorchers last wins games at Optus Stadium they have chased down totals with 15, 21 and 15 balls remaining. If the Renegades produce the form with the bat they have for the majority of this season, it will be a simple chase for the Scorchers.
Match Prediction
The Scorchers vs Renegades has been the most lopsided matchup in the history of the Big Bash, with the Scorchers holding a 14-3 head to head record over the Renegades. The Scorchers have won six of their last seven games against the Renegades, including a five wicket win on New Year’s Day.
The Renegades have been one of the worst performing sides with the bat in competition, and coming up against the best bowling attack, it’s hard to see the Renegades posting a winning score. The Scorchers have dominated the Renegades for years and it won’t be any different on Sunday, this will be a convincing win for the Scorchers to secure top spot on the table.
Perth Scorchers
$1.60 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
To kick off the multi, we’re riding the hot hand of the most in-form player in the competition. Aaron Hardie has scored knocks of 57, 60*, 11*, 1, 90* and 43 from his last six games, and is set for another huge performance at home.
Sam Harper’s move to number three has been an inspired one, scoring three consecutive half centuries in his first three games since moving to number three. Harper has scored 211 runs at an average of 52 from his last four games, and looms as the Renegades most important batsmen.
To round out the multi, we’re taking the leading wicket taker of BBL12 Andrew Tye, to take 2+ wickets. Tye has taken 23 wickets from thirteen games this season, taking multiple wickets six times this season, including 3/32 against the Renegades earlier this season.
Aaron Hardie 20+ Runs
Sam Harper 15+ Runs
Andrew Tye 2+ Wickets
