There is another double header of action in the Big Bash League on Sunday with the four sides who did not play on Saturday featuring across the two matches, the first of which sees the Adelaide Strikers hosting the Melbourne Renegades at the Adelaide Oval.
Both these sides are at the wrong end of the table as far as they are concerned but while the Strikers are more than in the mix to extend their season, this has been such a bad campaign for the Renegades that their title defence is almost certain to end dry.
Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers were undefeated for their opening five matches this term, you could say somewhat fortunately given what happened with the Sydney Thunder game and the smoke, but then they ran into the other Sydney side for a couple of matches and lost them both and now they find themselves outside of the playoffs in this wacky league table. They will be pleased to get away from the Sixers, but they’ll be wary that the Renegades will ruin someone’s party.
The Strikers need to rediscover their batting mojo in this match. They haven’t bowled too badly in those defeats but their batting has let them down. We know they have a decent enough batting line up to utilise but if there is a worry with it, it might be a batsman light. The flip side of that is they have a lot of options with the ball and that isn’t always a bad thing. A return to winning ways here would set Adelaide up nicely.
Melbourne Renegades
It is now played eight and lost eight for the Melbourne Renegades and we are probably long since past the stage where things have gotten embarrassing for the defending champions. Their title defence is already all but over and their season has just been an absolute mess. The crazy thing though is that although they have lost all eight matches they have played, they have actually had a chance of winning at least half of them if not more.
It has been a regular occurrence for the Renegades this season to have played excellently for the first 15 overs of both their batting and their bowling innings, but the last five of each have been so bad that it has undone all their hard work. If they can just finish their innings a little better, and you would think as their chances diminish overall the pressure will lessen and a better display would come naturally, you could see them ruining a party or two between now and the end of the season.
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Team News
Adelaide Strikers have their captain Travis Head back and his return will be nicely timed as they are without Alex Carey who is away with Australia. Cameron Valente misses out on the squad as Harry Nielsen has come into it.
Melbourne Renegades will have Mohammad Nabi back in their ranks with Richard Gleeson having finished his overseas spell. Nathan McSweeney also comes into the squad in place of Luke Robins so the Renegades look fairly strong.
Betting
I should be ready to give up on the Melbourne Renegades but I can’t bring myself to do it just yet and the fact that they look to have strengthened since their last match with Mohammad Nabi replacing a Richard Gleeson who never really delivered what was expected of him, I’m happy to go with the men in red here. Travis Head for Alex Carey is a like for like replacement but unlike the Renegades move, Head has a bit to do to fit in and deliver what Carey was doing.
The Renegades might be 0-8 but they really are not that bad. They only need to be smarter in the last five overs with the bat and just ensure a set batsman bats through and then with the ball order their bowlers a little better and they’ll get back to winning ways. If they can take early wickets here through Nabi, the Strikers do go with a batsman less than most so there is the opportunity for the defending champions to finally pick up their first win here.
Tips
Back Melbourne Renegades to beat Adelaide Strikers for a 4/10 stake at 2.38 with Bet365
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