Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades BBL Tips, Predictions and Preview

Gary Emmerson:

With no wins from eight games and time running out, champions the Melbourne Renegades will hope that the trip to the Adelaide Oval to take on Adelaide Strikers will result in a much-needed victory.

The Strikers have seven points from seven matches (W3, L3, NR1), but have lost their last three matches. The Renegades are yet to pick up a point this season and are in that ‘do-or-die’ territory.

Adelaide Strikers

The Strikers will see their awesome trio separated, as Alex Carey leaves for national duties. That leaves Jake Weatherald with a big responsibility on shouldering the team’s hopes. He will still have Jon Wells to help him cover for Carey’s absence.

Bowling duties have been shared by the Afghan hotshot Rashid Khan (12 wickets, ER 7.56) and Peter Siddle (seven wickets, ER 7.18). As the action moves to the business end, the hosts will hope that their bowlers can hold things together.

Melbourne Renegades

Skipper Dan Christian has a tough task at hand, considering the Renegades are looking a long way off picking up a win. Shaun Marsh (298 runs, SR 122.13) has been doing a great job with the bat, while the success of Beau Webster (261 runs, SR 144.19) has been welcome.

The absence of Kane Richardson is a big blow for the Renegades, who otherwise have very few bowling leaders. Richard Gleeson now remains their best bet, but his high ER of 10.02 is a major concern.

Match Up

The Strikers have been depending on their stars to bring them home and it isn’t such a bad thing. Weatherald and Khan together with Siddle will be looking to continue that magic touch. As for the Renegades, there is no magic within sight as the end of the tunnel nears. If they can’t get a win here, this could be the end of the tournament for the Renegades – if it already isn’t.

History & Statistics

  • The Strikers have six of the last eight H2Hs, including the last two but have never won three in a row.
  • Three of Renegades’ four H2H wins have come at this venue.
  • The Strikers have won seven of eight H2Hs batting first.
  • The Renegades have won all three H2Hs where they batted first.
  • The Strikers have the second-best powerplay run rate this season behind the Heat.

Key Players

With their key performers not available, the veteran Siddle will be all the more important for the Strikers to strike a winning chord. If he can continue his good start, the Strikers will be well-served.

Marsh has been playing a lone hand for the Renegades. His tenacity to keep the runs coming make him a valuable asset for the Melbourne side, considering they are desperate to get a win on the board.

Tips