Big Bash League champions Melbourne Renegades will look to start their title defence in good style as they host the Sydney Thunder at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong.
The Sydney Thunder got off to the ideal start as they beat one of the tournament frontrunners in the Brisbane Heat by 29 runs in the BBL09 season opener. Historically though the Thunder have struggled against the Renegades, only winning one out of nine games against them..
Melbourne Renegades (13) - Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Harry Gurney (England), Sam Harper (wk), Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Beau Webster, Jack Wildermuth, Richard Gleeson (England), Alex Doolan
Sydney Thunder (13) - Callum Ferguson (c), Jono Cook, Matthew Gilkes (wk), Chris Green, Alex Hales (England), Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Chris Tremain, Jay Lenton
Renegades vs Thunder Betting Tips
Renegades
The Renegades have acquired Shaun Marsh from the Scorchers and he is a big addition to their batting ranks. Aaron Finch, Sam Harper, Tom Cooper and Dan Christian will all look to add some much-needed runs through the middle order. Cameron Boyce looks a good play here as their sole spinning option and looks likely to grab a wicket or two here at a ground that is notorious for having a slow pitch and that will only benefit the spinner here.
Boyce OVER 0.5 wickets
$1.50
Thunder
Usman Khawaja showed that he was in good touch before he fell in the opening game and he will look to build on that here. The Thunder top order lost their head in large part in the season opener but this was largely overlooked due to a brilliant captain knock from Callum Ferguson who finished 73 not out off a measly 44 balls. Alex Ross also looked impressive as he took it to his former team and stopped the bleeding of their top order. The Thunder on the back of some good late hitting and some poor Heat bowling set a score too much for the Heat to chase. One player who was disappointing was Englishmen, Alex Hales who showed a lack of patience in the opener falling unnecessarily to a very poor shot and on that showing you’d be brave to suggest he would put up a big score here.
Hales UNDER 22.5 Runs
$1.88
Prediction
The scorecard made the Thunder look better than they actually were in their opening game and the Renegades will aim to start their season off on the front foot here. There is just too much firepower in the top order of the Renegades and add an adept bowling attack that should restrict early runs and the Renegades should get the win in their opening game.
