Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Match 26: MR vs PS Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BBL09 Match Prediction Today | Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers Prediction Today| Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers Key Players | MR vs PS Dream11 Prediction

It is the champions vs the most successful team in BBL history.

However, at the moment, it is the winless team up against the team that used to dominate.

Melbourne Renegades, reigning champions, have sunk to 0-6 record, giving them the improbable task of somehow reaching the finals via their next eight games. They play Perth Scorchers who were so sloppy against Hobart Hurricanes, in a game that both sides simply must win as the season nears the halfway mark.

Amid the talent on show in this one, which side will hold their nerve better in the important stages?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Harry Gurney is out injured. Melbourne Renegades have brought in Samit Patel as his international replacement.
• Patel, boasting 258 games of T20 experience, has 28 fifties and 203 wickets. The Renegades need him to get going straight away.
• Mitchell Marsh, coming off 48 on Sunday, scored 56* (22) vs Renegades earlier this season.
• Cameron Bancroft enjoyed a half-century against the Renegades in the same game.
• Liam Livingstone looked dangerous before throwing it away last game. Can he pounce on a vulnerable Renegades attack?
• Shaun Marsh and Beau Webster have arguably been Renegades’ most consistent batsmen in BBL09 (233 and 177 runs respectively).
• Also, Webster and Marsh scored half-centuries vs Scorchers in BBL09.
• Crucial game for skipper Aaron Finch. He has 221 runs at 22.10 vs Scorchers – needs to deliver more in this game.
• Kane Richardson has taken just one wicket in his past two games. But, he loves playing the Scorchers: Nine wickets in five games. He took four against them in their earlier meeting in BBL09.
• Chris Jordan is one to watch. He has eight wickets in six games and is a magnificent fielder in the key positions.
• Fawad Ahmed also has eight wickets in six games, and he can be vital against a Renegades’ side that continues to collapse in the middle overs.
• Cameron Boyce’s last two games in Geelong: 0/37 and 0/42. He must step up now for the Renegades.
• Dan Christian has been poor in BBL09, but has seven wickets in two innings vs Scorchers.

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Head-to-Head

• Matches 11, Renegades 2, Scorchers 9.
• Perth Scorchers won a high-scoring match earlier this season by 13 runs. Mitch Marsh won the battle of the Marsh brothers.
• Note: Melbourne Renegades have lost each of their last three matches in Geelong.

Key to a Melbourne Renegades win

The Renegades’ collapses have been all-too-common in BBL09. From 117/2 vs Stars, the Renegades collapsed to 142/9 – a total that was never enough. Here, the top order needs to carry on with starts, with at least one of the top four still at the crease heading into the final four overs.

Also, the Renegades’ bowling has been a disappointment. Kane Richardson can’t do it all on his own, so it’s now or never for the likes of Dan Christian, Cameron Boyce and Richard Gleeson to make worthy contributions.

Key to a Perth Scorchers win

The Scorchers’ fielding on Sunday evening vs Hurricanes was abysmal. By producing standards even rubbished by park cricketers, the Scorchers were always behind the eight-ball. Couple this with poor death bowling, and everyone knows what the Scorchers need to work on.

Also, while the middle order collapses for the Renegades, the top did for the Scorchers last time out. Liam Livingstone threw his wicket away after looking so good, and a couple of wickets quickly followed. Here, the top three need to set a strong platform for Mitch Marsh to play with freedom.

Possible Playing 11

Samit Patel has replaced Harry Gurney in Melbourne Renegades’ 13-man squad. Also, Andrew Fekete and Marcus Harris join the squad. The Renegades’ season is in such disarray that whoever comes in must perform right away.

Melbourne Renegades: 1. Sam Harper (wk), 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Shaun Marsh, 4. Marcus Harris, 5. Beau Webster, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Samit Patel, 8. Will Sutherland/Tom Andrews, 9. Cameron Boyce, 10. Kane Richardson, 11. Richard Gleeson

Keeper-batsman Sam Whiteman comes into the Scorchers’ 13-man squad. If he is to play, it could be for Josh Inglis.

Perth Scorchers: 1. Josh Inglis (wk), 2. Liam Livingstone, 3. Cameron Bancroft, 4. Mitchell Marsh (c), 5. Cameron Green, 6. Chris Jordan, 7. Tim David, 8. Ashton Agar, 9. Jhye Richardson, 10. Matt Kelly/Joel Paris, 11. Fawad Ahmed

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Geelong Pitch Report and Conditions

The Geelong pitch played well in the Renegades vs Thunder game earlier this season. The track was quite true throughout, with the Thunder openers; Hales and Khawaja, striking the ball beautifully in a run chase of 170. Sam Harper for the Renegades also struck the ball beautifully early on.

In terms of the weather, there is some smoke haze expected to linger around the Geelong area. Rain should be minimal.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Also read: Dream11 content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

Two struggling sides. The Renegades are in all sorts, whereas the Scorchers can be so bad on an off-day that anyone can beat them.

It ultimately comes down to which team makes less mistakes in this one. At home, the Renegades could come away with their first win of the season. If it’s not now, it’s never.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!