Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

After Perth began the BBL 2025/26 season with a victory, the action moves to Geelong for the 2nd match between Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat.

Both teams will be looking for improved seasons after missing the playoffs in 2024/25. The Renegades, perennial underachievers since winning the title in 2020, have a host of talented players. However, the big question is whether they can bring it all together and produce consistent performances on the field.

The spotlight is on Jake Fraser-McGurk and whether he can deliver regularly. Josh Brown, Tim Seifert and Muhammad Rizwan forms the batting core with a deep batting lineup. Also, the Renegades possess plenty of experience with AJ Tye and Jason Behrendhorff now in their ranks.

The Heat are aiming for a positive start but face a tough test. They have a host of unavailable players due to injury and Ashes duty. But, they still have experience with the likes of Colin Munro, Nathan McSweeney, Matt Renshaw, Xavier Bartlett and Shaheen Shah Afridi needing to play central roles in the Heat’s quest for victory today.

BBL 2025/26 2nd Match: REN vs HEA Possible Playing XIs

Adam Zampa is unavailable for personal reasons. Fergus O’Neill, Andrew Tye and Jason Behrendhorff will likely be the three frontline seamers with Tom Rogers also unavailable due to a shoulder injury.

Melbourne Renegades: 1. Jake Fraser-McGurk, 2. Josh Brown, 3. Tim Seifert (OS), 4. Muhammad Rizwan (OS, wk), 5. Caleb Jewell/Ollie Peake, 6. Hassan Khan (OS), 7. Will Sutherland (c), 8. Fergus O’Neill, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Matthew Spoors, 11. Jason Behrendhorff

Brisbane Heat are scrambling to field a XI even for the first game of the season. Matt Kuhnemann (side strain), Callum Vidler (back injury) and Tom Alsop (knee) are all out. Spencer Johnson (back) is out for the whole season. Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are on Ashes duty.

Left-arm pace bowler Liam Haskett and left-arm spinner Paddy Dooley have been brought in as replacement players.

Brisbane Heat: 1. Colin Munro (OS), 2. Nathan McSweeney (c), 3. Matt Renshaw, 4. Max Bryant, 5. Lachlan Hearne/Hugh Weibgen, 6. Jimmy Pierson (wk), 7. Jack Wildermuth, 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi (OS), 10. Paddy Dooley, 11. Liam Haskett/Oli Patterson

GMHBA Stadium Geelong Pitch Report and Weather

Pace bowlers have fared well in T20s at Geelong, taking 97 wickets at an average of 19.66 and economy of 7.53. Spinners have taken 33 wickets at an average of 32.45 and economy of 7.07.

Since the start of 2020, chasing teams have won seven of 13 T20s on this ground. The average first innings score is 141.62.

A cool and cloudy night is forecast with temperatures around 15 degrees. No rain is forecast according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for REN vs HEA 2025/26: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Muhammad Rizwan is a vital player for the Renegades and should bat in the top four. He is enjoying a strong year in T20 cricket with 594 runs at an average of 54.00 and strike rate of 134.7.
• Tim Seifert has plenty of T20 cricket under his belt this year, with 1,483 runs at an average of 32.2 and strike rate of 146.3.

Key batter picks:

• Jake Fraser-McGurk smashed 95 off 46 balls against the Heat last season. He has an outstanding record against Xavier Bartlett with an incredible 30 runs off eight balls.
• Matt Renshaw is also enjoying a strong season with runs in all formats. In nine matches for the Heat against Renegades, Renshaw has struck 243 runs at an average of 34.71 and strike rate of 135.75.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Nathan McSweeney comes into this match in good form. The Heat captain has scores of 49 (List A), 68 (FC), 63 (tour match) and 226* (FC) in his last four matches.
• Will Sutherland is key for the Renegades. He strikes every 16.83 balls in T20s at Adelaide. However, he will be looking to improve his poor numbers against the Heat, against whom he has just three wickets at an average of 73.33 and economy of 10.56.

Key bowler picks:

• Since the start of 2024, Jake Fraser-McGurk has been dismissed 19 times by left-arm seam in T20s at an average of 17.6. This represents a great opportunity for Shaheen Shah Afridi in the powerplay. The Heat’s key recruit has 49 T20 wickets this year at an average of 20.2 and strike rate of 15.9.
• Xavier Bartlett is also crucial for the Heat. He has nine wickets in seven matches against the Renegades but needs to bring that economy (10.35) down. He has figures of 1/15 off 11 balls against Tim Seifert in T20s.
• Jason Behrendhorff has taken 28 wickets in 17 matches against Brisbane Heat at an economy of 6.93. He has a dominant record againt Matt Renshaw, dismissing him three times in 19 balls (18 runs).

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Jack Wildermuth can offer value with bat and ball. He is picked by just 17.38% of Dream11 players in this game, so he can be a good differential pick as he bowls a few overs and can strike a big ball down the order.
• AJ Tye has 29 wickets in 17 matches against Brisbane Heat. He bowls in the death overs which can bring wickets.
• Fergus O’Neill can generate movement on a pitch that has suited seam bowlers in the past.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 22, Renegades 14, Heat 8.
• Xavier Bartlett vs Caleb Jewell in T20s: 13 balls, 23 runs, no dismissal.
• Jason Behrendhorff vs Colin Munro in T20s: 12 balls, seven runs, one wicket.
• Will Sutherland vs Matt Renshaw in T20s: 28 balls, 56 runs, no dismissal.
• AJ Tye vs Jimmy Peirson in T20s: 30 balls, 44 runs, one wicket.

BBL 2025/26 2nd Match: REN vs HEA Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 2nd Match: REN vs HEA Match Prediction: Who will win?

Backing Melbourne Renegades to win against a Brisbane Heat side missing too much experience.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.