We have a clash in the Big Bash League on Tuesday with two matches taking place at the same time. The first one to begin sees the last two champions meeting in Carrara when the Melbourne Renegades take on the Sydney Sixers.
The Renegades began their campaign strongly but have been pitiful since then whereas the defending champions are already looking like they are adjusting themselves into a good position to make a serious tilt at a successful title defence.
Melbourne Renegades
When the Melbourne Renegades walloped the Perth Scorchers in their opening game the narrative was that after a lot of work being done to their squad in the off season they were ready to launch a title charge. Since then they have lost three matches in extremely tame fashion and already they are fighting to revive their season. Another defeat here, particularly a heavy one, would have them under pressure moving forward.
Three defeats in succession going into this match isn’t ideal for the Renegades but what really isn’t good is that no part of their side is functioning well. Their bowlers have gone for 200 in two of those three defeats and would have been close to it in the other had the target not been reached, while their batsmen have been shot out for 60 and 80 in two of those defeats. When you look at the table even that win over the Scorchers is overrated so they have big issues to address.
Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers opened up their title defence with a defeat, although they were well on track to win that match against the Hobart Hurricanes but after mauling the Melbourne Renegades and then seeing off the Adelaide Strikers they came out on top in a cracking contest against the Melbourne Stars and a win here would have them incredibly nicely placed for a push at topping the table and having the best route to a successful defence of their crown.
The good thing about the Sixers this season is their batsmen and bowlers have both contributed to their success. That is a positive because if one fails like their bowlers did in the last game then the other can get them out of trouble. That not only brings plenty of confidence into the dressing room but makes them extremely hard to play against. It means the opposition can’t take their foot off the ball at any stage in the contest.
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Team News
The Melbourne Renegades have found out that Imran Tahir will not be joining the club which means that Noor Ahmad will hang around for longer than he was going to however he hasn’t been named in the squad for this contest.
The Sydney Sixers have named an 18-man squad for this match but they remain without Moises Henriques and Sean Abbott who are still with the Australia Test squad even though they are not playing. Jason Holder continues while Jackson Bird could come into the side.
Betting
Given that when these two met in the reverse fixture the Sydney Sixers won by 145 runs it is hard to go against them here. If the Melbourne Renegades had shown any sort of improvement with the bat since then it might have been different but they haven’t. At best you could argue they have stayed poor but if anything they have gotten worse and that can’t be a good thing, especially when their bowling attack is going around the park.
The Sixers’ bowling attack by and large is very good and although they got slaughtered in the last game that was just two special players having a day out, and even before they started their pyrotechnics the Sixers had the Stars in a fair bit of trouble. There has been nothing to suggest the Renegades’ bowling attack is any good and their batting just lacks game awareness and smartness and composure as well. Sydney Sixers are a short price but I think they win the match.
Tips
WON – Back Sydney Sixers to beat Melbourne Renegades for a 3/10 stake at 1.73 with William Hill
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