The Big Bash League rolls into Geelong for the first time in its history on Wednesday when the Melbourne Renegades host the Sydney Sixers in what is a huge fixture for the visitors in particular.
The beaten finalists of last season have played four matches and lost the lot and if they don’t win this one then their campaign could be done despite it only just reaching the halfway stage. A win for the Renegades would cement their place as one of the better teams in the competition.
Melbourne Renegades
Had it not been for the Perth Scorchers the Renegades would still have a 100% record this season but even so they are two from three for the campaign which represents a decent beginning to the campaign. With a few teams ahead of them they would welcome another win here especially with Aaron Finch leaving soon.
There is a case to be made for the Renegades having the best balanced side in the competition and we’ve seen that in their opening three matches. They have incredible depth with the bat and a couple of the form batsmen in the competition while the options they have with the ball and the quality of those options will serve them well.
Sydney Sixers
It has all gone Pete Tong for the Sydney Sixers. They have gone from being beaten finalists to serious strugglers in less than a campaign. I don’t think we should underestimate the impact that Michael Lumb’s retirement has had on this side and since then they have really struggled with the bat this season.
They are yet to have anything substantial from their overseas pair and the problem with a light batting line up is that their bowlers are being put under pressure. That wouldn’t be a problem if they were all in good form but they are not and a combination of everything has seen them slip to four defeats in a row.
Team News
Melbourne Renegades have named an unchanged squad for this match and although they lost to the Perth Scorchers last time out they are likely to go in with the same XI for this one.
Sydney Sixers have been forced into a change with Steve O’Keefe ruled out with the injury he picked up against Hobart on New Year’s Day. Daniel Hughes is being monitored after picking up a knock prior to that game while Moises Henriques is still missing.
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Betting
With not knowing a huge amount about the pitch and the ground in Geelong this match is tricky to bet on although I’m not sure I would want to be backing the Sixers right now and the Renegades are too short so that helps me out somewhat.
There is a player performance that I like though. That is for Dwayne Bravo. His line is 43.5 which sounds high but I’m not convinced it is high enough. He’s a brilliant bowler in this form of the game and he’s equally as good in the field and will be in the key positions for potential catches you would think. He is also a handy batsman so he is a 3-D cricketer which means an average match should see him past this total. A good one should see him fly past it so I’m happy to take the overs here.
Tips
WON – Back D.Bravo’s Performance – Over 43.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
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