Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder Preview Dream11

46th match of the longest BBL season to date. According to Sydney Morning Herald, just over 8,000 fans were at the SCG last night to see the Sixers thrash the Strikers. With mostly one-sided matches still engrossing the competition, the BBL needs a shot in the arm. It desperately needs a great game, and eyes will be on the Marvel Stadium pitch tonight in terms of how it enables free flowing cricket.

Melbourne Renegades broke their win-loss pattern with an emphatic 78-run win over Perth Scorchers two nights ago. The Renegades will agree their batting needs improvement, but their bowling attack is looking in good shape, with a top four place beckoning. They beat today’s opponents only last week, and can pick up their third straight victory with another strong performance. Will the Renegades build strong momentum heading into the finals?

Sydney Thunder, despite a last-start win also against Perth Scorchers, are in a precarious position. The lost point due to the floodlights fiasco at the Gabba a couple of weeks ago could come back to haunt them, but they have an excellent opportunity tonight to put more pressure on Melbourne Stars, who are currently in fourth. The Stars sit one point ahead of the Thunder, and could lose Marcus Stoinis for at least one match if he makes his Test debut on Friday vs Sri Lanka. Can the Thunder break into the top four tonight?

Key to a Melbourne Renegades win

Will the Renegades batsmen be in the runs today? Aaron Finch looked in awful form in Perth two nights ago, but could benefit from the slower, lower conditions at Marvel Stadium. He was strong against Sydney Thunder last week, and will be crucial tonight in setting the innings up for the Renegades. With Cameron White out injured, Mackenzie Harvey, Sam Harper and Tom Cooper will be key in setting a platform, but the Renegades will be looking for a stronger finish than what they dished up against the Scorchers. Can Daniel Christian and Mohammad Nabi help get the Renegades to a strong total?

However, if the bowlers continue the form they have showed in recent matches, the batting might not need to fully fire. Chris Tremain has been a superb addition to the side, in conjunction with BBL08 leading wicket taker Kane Richardson. Shane Watson and Callum Ferguson will be two crucial wickets for the Renegades, and with Tremain and Richardson in excellent form, the Renegades have the resources to push the Thunder right onto the back foot. With Harry Gurney solid in the middle and death overs, along with Cameron Boyce and the allrounders, the Renegades will be out for a clinical display at all stages of the innings.

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

Sydney Thunder, despite winning their previous game, were poor in the field. Against a Renegades side susceptible to a collapse or two, the Thunder need to take chances that come their way to leave the Renegades’ bowlers with lots to do to keep them in the game. Daniel Sams was strong in the Thunder’s previous game against the Renegades last week, and will be key with his variations on what is typically a slower pitch. The same applies to Gurinder Sandhu and Chris Jordan, and if the Thunder seamers can pick up regular wickets, a strong platform will be set for the spinners to keep the pressure on the Renegades.

Also, can Shane Watson and/or Callum Ferguson fire? When the Thunder have won matches since the departure of Jos Buttler, at least one of these two have been central to their success. Watson, off the back of two low scores, will be key tonight in getting the Thunder off to a strong start, especially in the absence of Matthew Gilkes who will miss this game with an injury. If Callum Ferguson can also contribute to a strong start, the Thunder will be well placed for a strong total against a side that prides itself on its bowling. Will the Thunder adjust better to the conditions than their opponents, after both sides last played in Perth?

Possible Playing 11

Melbourne Renegades have made two changes to their squad ahead of their last home game of the campaign. Jack Wildermuth and Jon Holland come in for Cameron White and Joe Mennie respectively.

Melbourne Renegades Possible Playing 11: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Mackenzie Harvey, 3. Sam Harper (wk), 4. Tom Cooper, 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Daniel Christian, 7. Jack Wildermuth, 8. Cameron Boyce, 9. Chris Tremain, 10. Kane Richardson, 11. Harry Gurney

Sydney Thunder have made a key change to their squad after Matthew Gilkes picked up a hip muscle injury in training yesterday. 19-year old Baxter Holt is in line to make his debut, with Jay Lenton also out injured. Jono Cook also returns to the squad.

Sydney Thunder Possible Playing 11: 1. Shane Watson (c), 2. Baxter Holt (wk), 3. Callum Ferguson, 4. Anton Devcich, 5. Jason Sangha, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Chris Green, 8. Chris Jordan, 9. Gurinder Sandhu, 10. Jono Cook, 11. Fawad Ahmed

Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

• Melbourne Renegades have won their last five matches against Sydney Thunder.
• The team batting first has won the last three matches between these two sides.
• Kane Richardson is BBL08’s top wicket taker with 19. Callum Ferguson is third highest run scorer with 341.

Match Prediction

BBL08 needs a close game full of drama. Can these sides deliver?

Melbourne Renegades are looking in good form at the moment, and I predict they will have a little too much for the Thunder.

Thanks for reading!