BBL 8, Match 2, Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

Will the Renegades improve their record at the Docklands Stadium this season?

Published - 19 Dec 2018, 18:31 IST | Updated - 19 Dec 2018, 18:31 IST

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The T20 extravaganza in Australia, Big Bash League (BBL), has got underway and the defending champions Adelaide Strikers have started their campaign on a winning note. Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers will lock horns in their first match of the season on Thursday at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. Both the sides would love to begin their tournament with a victory as some of the finest local talents along with international players will compete in the middle.

The Renegades successfully made it to the semi-final in the previous season only to lose to the eventual champions Strikers. The team will miss their skipper Aaron Finch who is with the Australian Test side in the ongoing series against India and in his absence Tom Cooper will lead the side.

The Scorchers, on the other hand, have a new coach as Justin Langer is now at the helm of the national side. Adam Voges, the former skipper, is the coach of the team now and unlike the Renegades, their skipper Mitchell Marsh is available for their tournament opener. Perth were the table-toppers last season and even their stint was cut-short in the semi-final by the Hurricanes.

Pitch and Conditions

Docklands Stadium hosted four BBL matches last season and the scores were not overwhelming by any means. The first couple of games were low-scoring ones and the teams chasing won it while later the 160-run mark was breached. If that seems to be the trend, we might be in for a low-scoring humdinger in the second BBL game itself. As far as the temperature is concerned, it will hover around 17 Degrees Celsius and no chances of rain despite being cloudy in the morning.

Team Combinations

Melbourne Renegades

The Renegades will miss the skipper Finch and from the 13-man squad which they’ve announced for this game suggests that Tim Ludeman will open the innings with Kelvin Smith. The experienced Cameron White, the captain Cooper and Mohammad Nabi follow them while Dan Christian and Sam Harper will look after scoring runs quickly at the death.

While there are two all-rounders in their top six, Jack Wildermuth, Cameron Boyce and Kane Richardson add strength to the bowling attack as well. However, there will be a toss-up between Usman Khan and Chris Tremain and given the fact that the former is a left-arm pacer might give him the edge.

Probable XI: Tim Ludeman (wk), Kelvin Smith, Cameron White, Tom Cooper (c), Mohammad Nabi, Dan Christian, Sam Harper, Jack Wildermuth, Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson, Usman Khan Shinwari/Chris Tremain.

Perth Scorchers

The Scorchers have also named their 13-man squad in which Klinger and Whiteman are the openers. The middle-order will miss Cameron Bancroft‘s presence who will be soon available as his ban ends on December 29. Cartwright, Turner and Mitch Marsh are the other batsmen with Josh Inglis set to don the wicketkeeping gloves.

They also have the option to promote David Willey at the top of the order as he is known to tonk the ball a long way. The bowling attack is extremely strong for Perth as they have as many as five fast bowlers up their sleeves and a seasoned spinner in Ashton Agar. Tye, NCN and Richardson will play the crucial role for them while Willey will also chip in with important overs and Marsh can roll his arm over to prove his mettle ahead of the Boxing Day Test against India.

Probable XI: Michael Klinger, Sam Whiteman, Hilton Cartwright, Ashton Turner, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), David Willey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Andrew Tye, Jhye Rirchardson.