Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades Preview + Dream11 Prediction
Two first up winners go at it on Sunday night in Adelaide.
Adelaide Strikers return to the ground where they won their first ever BBL Title. Their first up performance against Brisbane, except for their bowling against the Heat’s 10th wicket partnership, was impressive, and shows they will be a difficult side to handle in BBL08. Rashid Khan and Alex Carey led from the front at the Gabba – can they do the same at the Adelaide Oval and make it 2/2?
Melbourne Renegades also got off to a winning start, dispatching tournament favourites Perth Scorchers. The Renegades displayed excellent patience and discipline on a slow Marvel Stadium pitch to bundle the Scorchers out for 103. However, the Renegades’ batting is an area for improvement, and there is little room for error against a good Strikers bowling attack. Can the Renegades knock off the two tournament favourites in the first two games?
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Key to an Adelaide Strikers win
All of Adelaide Strikers’ bowlers were in the wickets against Brisbane Heat. Billy Stanlake and Michael Neser were expensive, but an opportunity is there to target a shaky Renegades’ top order. The Renegades were reduced to 17/4 in pursuit of 104 against the Strikers, which provides the Strikers with a chance to strike in the powerplay overs. With Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, and Matthew Short all bowling well in the middle overs in Brisbane, early wickets might be too much for the Renegades to come back from.
Also, can Alex Carey deliver for the second game in a row? The Australian T20I vice-captain was in excellent touch with the bat at the Gabba, holding the innings together beautifully via a range of beautiful offside strokes. In addition, Jake Weatherald, Matthew Short, Jono Wells and Jake Lehmann all passed double figures vs the Heat, and will be looking to go on with their starts against a Renegades attack that was too good for the Scorchers on Thursday night. Another key man to watch out for is Colin Ingram, who was the only Strikers player to be dismissed in single digits. Will he be a big factor in the top order for the Strikers?
Key to a Melbourne Renegades win
The addition of Dan Christian to the Renegades outfit reaped immediate rewards. Just 48 hours after landing from South Africa, which included losing his luggage, Christian, along with Kane Richardson and Jack Wildermuth, backed up the superb work of man of the match Usman Shinwari to dismantle the Scorchers line up. Can the Renegades scythe through the Adelaide top order as they did to Perth to open the game right up?
However, a concern for the Renegades is their top order batting. Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris are on Test duty, and four of the top five were all out for single digits against the Scorchers to leave the men in red reeling. Cameron White, Tim Ludeman and Tom Cooper are experienced players who must stand up, to pave the way for the likes of Sam Harper and Mohammad Nabi to continue on from their excellent showings on Thursday night.
Predicted Playing XIs
Joe Mennie replaces Chris Tremain in the Renegades’ 13-man squad. However, expect the Renegades to stick with the same team that beat the Scorchers.
Melbourne Renegades: 1. Tim Ludeman (wk), 2. Jack Wildermuth, 3. Cameron White, 4. Sam Harper, 5. Tom Cooper (c), 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7. Dan Christian, 8. Will Sutherland, 9. Cameron Boyce, 10. Kane Richardson, 11. Usman Khan Shinwari
Peter Siddle is unavailable for this game as he was retained in Australia’s Test squad.
Adelaide Strikers: 1. Alex Carey (wk), 2. Jake Weatherald, 3. Colin Ingram (c), 4. Matthew Short, 5. Jono Wells, 6. Jake Lehmann, 7. Michael Neser, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Cameron Valente, 10. Ben Laughlin, 11. Billy Stanlake
Dream11
Which side will pick up their second win of the season? Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.
- Backing Alex Carey to go well at home.
- Cameron White remains a key player for the Renegades’, and I predict he will hold the innings together with Tom Cooper.
- Colin Ingram has scored 30+ just once in his last 10 T20 innings.
- A plethora of allrounders to choose from: mine are Michael Neser, Dan Christian and Mohammad Nabi.
- Rashid Khan is my VC.
- Billy Stanlake can be expensive, but he is a wicket taker. Usman Khan Shinwari will be key at all stages of the innings.
Stats and Facts
- Adelaide Strikers have won four of their past five games vs Melbourne Renegades.
- Rashid Khan has taken nine wickets in his last four T20 matches.
- The team batting first has won the last five matches between the two sides.
Prediction
Adelaide Strikers, back at home and on the back of a strong bowling effort, could prove too strong for the Renegades.
Thanks for reading!
P.S. I recently partnered with the awesome team at OnlineCricStore.com.
Hope you enjoy my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades Preview + Dream11 Prediction
