The Big Bash League goes to the west for the first time this season on Sunday as the opening match of a double header of action begins at the Optus Stadium in Perth as the Perth Scorchers host the Melbourne Renegades in a clash between the bottom two in the league.
It has not been the start to the season that either of these teams would have wanted but they both know that they have their home leg of the campaign to come, and if they take advantage of it they can still work their way back into contention in the event. For Perth that begins here.
Perth Scorchers
It has taken the Perth Scorchers time to get into this tournament but their emphatic win over the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve was the perfect way to head into their home period of the tournament. You always thought the Scorchers would improve as the campaign went along given that they were forced to wait for the arrival of Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone after their quarantine period and the last couple of matches suggest that could be the case.
It started to come together in the previous match where their bowlers all bowled well as a unit and then their English pair got them well ahead of the game so that they could cruise home and if their bowlers can continue on that form then this is a side who could take some stopping over the second part of the campaign. What they can’t do is think that they have cracked it on the back of one decent performance. They need to back that up with another here.
Melbourne Renegades
The Melbourne Renegades have got plenty of issues that they need to address. It might be that the rain cost them a win over the Sydney Thunder last time out but if we apply their death bowling so far in this tournament I think they would be clutching at straws to suggest that. Although they still have their home leg to come in this competition, you get the feeling they need to not just start winning but also begin putting in some consistent performances. I just feel they are teetering on the edge of completely panicking and then everything will unravel.
Slowly but surely in this competition the Renegades are beginning to find a groove with the bat. That has largely come through the form of runs from Shaun Marsh so there is still improvement to come in that department if the rest of the side come to the party. The issues remain with the ball and it might be that someone needs to go and Noor Ahmad comes back into the side, if for nothing else than for the element of surprise that he might bring.
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Team News
It is probably no surprise after their win last time out that the Perth Scorchers have named an unchanged squad for this match. They are likely to go in with the same starting XI as well unless anyone has any medical issues ahead of the game.
The Melbourne Renegades are yet to name their squad for this match but you would think there are a couple of vulnerable positions in their side. Mackenzie Harvey has scored nine runs in three matches so Beau Webster might earn himself a recall.
Betting
I’m not a massive fan of betting on the match winner on this ground because it can be hard to defend with the short straight boundaries so instead I’ll play over 10.5 sixes in this match. The Renegades are starting to hit form with the bat which encourages me that they’ll clear the ropes a few times here and the Scorchers are going to continue to improve naturally as the likes of Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone shake off the rust they have been carrying.
Although the Scorchers’ attack comes with a big reputation, it is hard to argue they are performing to expectation at the minute and that gives further encouragement that we’ll see some of these short boundaries peppered and eventually taken apart. To continue the encouragement the Renegades bowling has been terrible all tournament and there is no sign that they are improving in that department so overall I’m expecting at least 11 sixes here.
Tips
WON – Back Over 10.5 sixes for a 3/10 stake at 1.80 with 888sport
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