Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
READ: Thunder vs Renegades Preview and Dream11: January 15 2020
It’s time for the defending champions. And the team who has already played a game in BBL09.
Melbourne Renegades, off the back of their first ever Title, begin their campaign against a Sydney Thunder side with a win under their belt. The excellent Renegades squad is a serious contender for the BBL09 Title, but can they make a good start to their campaign?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
- Callum Ferguson was outstanding against Brisbane Heat. His 72* rescued the Thunder from a precarious spot.
- Also, Ferguson has scored 80 runs in two innings for the Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades, including one fifty (52).
- Aaron Finch has the most runs in Renegades-Thunder matches: 247 (average 35.29).
- Usman Khawaja vs Renegades: 148 runs at an average of 44.00.
- Shaun Marsh joins the Melbourne Renegades. His BBL record reads: 37 matches, 1,435 runs, SR: 129.98.
- Kane Richardson has the most wickets in Renegades-Thunder matches: 9.
- Jono Cook took two wickets in the opening game, along with two vs the Renegades in their last meeting.
- Daniel Christian has a T20 five wicket haul against the Thunder.
READ: Thunder vs Renegades Preview and Dream11: January 15 2020
Head-to-Head
- Melbourne Renegades have won eight of the last nine matches vs Sydney Thunder.
- However, the Renegades lost both matches at Geelong last year quite heavily (scores of 126/9 and 91).
Key to a Melbourne Renegades win
The Renegades look to have an excellent squad in BBL09. This is even with the experienced Mohammad Nabi and Marcus Harris missing for the first game, with the likes of Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Sam Harper out to set a platform for Tom Cooper and Dan Christian.
Also, Kane Richardson loves playing the Thunder, and will be keen for a big start to the tournament. With the experience of Harry Gurney, Richard Gleeson, Cameron Boyce and Dan Christian alongside him, the Renegades can look to put the squeeze on a dangerous Thunder top order.
Key to a Sydney Thunder win
The Thunder top four looks crucial to their chances. The experience of Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson needs to come to the fore, with at least one of the three needed to play a significant knock, as Ferguson did in game one.
Also, can the Thunder spinners work their magic again? Chris Green, Arjun Nair and Jono Cook combined for six wickets in Brisbane on Tuesday night, so the key will be for them to dry up the runs again. Can the spinners build dots of which the seamers can try build on with wickets?
Possible Playing 11
Experienced signings Shaun Marsh and Richard Gleeson are in the Melbourne Renegades 13-man squad. Mohammad Nabi isn’t.
Melbourne Renegades: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Shaun Marsh, 3. Sam Harper (wk), 4. Beau Webster, 5. Tom Cooper, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Jack Wildermuth, 8. Cameron Boyce, 9. Richard Gleeson, 10. Kane Richardson, 11. Harry Gurney
Sydney Thunder have named their 13-man squad and could pick the same XI as their win vs Brisbane Heat.
Sydney Thunder: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Matthew Gilkes (wk), 4. Callum Ferguson (c), 5. Alex Ross, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Chris Green, 8. Arjun Nair, 9. Nathan McAndrew, 10. Chris Tremain, 11. Jono Cook
READ: Thunder vs Renegades Preview and Dream11: January 15 2020
Pitch and Conditions
Pleasant conditions (and no rain) is forecast for Geelong on Thursday. In regards to the pitch, teams that batted first in BBL08 won both games against the Renegades.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Also read: IPL Auction is here! Check out which players each team could look at buying:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Delhi Capitals
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Kings XI Punjab
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Mumbai Indians
- Rajasthan Royals
- Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match Prediction
Melbourne Renegades to get their season started off on the right foot? They look good to do so. However, the Thunder have the confidence of a first-up win behind them and could prove a very difficult test.
Thanks for reading!
READ: Thunder vs Renegades Preview and Dream11: January 15 2020
