Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades Preview Dream11
BBL08 action returns after India’s win over Australia in a thrilling ODI yesterday.
Sydney Sixers return to the SCG after five straight away matches, with the latest a challenging night in Perth. Each of their batsmen reached double figures en route to a decent score of 177/5, but the bowlers were victims of Cameron Bancroft and Ashton Turner at their best. With the Sixers’ occupying third spot in a table which remains so tight, a win here is crucial.
Is there a side more inconsistent than Melbourne Renegades? Sure, the likes of Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers have had their issues, but the Renegades are a side that can turn it on and then switch it off just as quickly. This can be highlighted most by their efforts against Brisbane Heat – a thumping eight wicket win followed by a thumping 101-run loss in the space of three days. Which Renegades side will show up today?
Key to a Sydney Sixers win
All seven Sixers’ batsmen went past double figures in Perth, with the top score 38. While this was an improvement on their lack of form early in the season, especially at the top, it is important for at least one batsman to carry on with a 50 to set the Sixers up even further. Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk have all shown good form in recent matches, and will be key here along with James Vince of whom the Sixers can benefit from his confident starts. Who will step up for the Sixers?
Also, significant onus will be on the bowlers. That the game against Perth wasn’t even taken to the 20th over after a total of 177 is cause for significant improvement, with the likes of Steve O’Keefe, Tom Curran and Sean Abbott needing better nights. Melbourne Renegades have shown to lose quick wickets in BBL08, which occurred in the Sixers’ win over the Renegades earlier in the season, so the Sixers can look to exploit this by bowling and fielding with intent.
Key to a Melbourne Renegades win
Melbourne Renegades have put together some brilliant displays in BBL08. However, they sit in fifth with the worst net run rate of all teams so far, highlighting their troubles in putting a string of good performances together.
In Sydney, the batting has to deliver. The Renegades have made two scores of less than 100 in BBL08, including their last game against Brisbane Heat, whose bowling is actually one of their concerns. Marcus Harris, Sam Harper and Tom Cooper are three players that must step up at the SCG, paving the way for the all rounders to play with freedom at the back-end of the innings. If the batting is stuck, with a lack of singles on show, the big shots might lead to the downfall of the Renegades batsmen, which will render their chances of victory almost impossible.
Also, the return of Kane Richardson is a boost to the Renegades attack that has also been inconsistent in BBL08. His partnership with Usman Khan Shinwari led to fine wins for the Renegades earlier this season, but with Shinwari now with the Pakistan ODI squad in South Africa, the combination of Richardson and Harry Gurney will be crucial. The Sixers have lost top order wickets on a number of occasions in BBL08, and the Renegades need to force a repeat in the powerplay overs, again paving the way for the all rounders and Cameron Boyce to keep the pressure right on.
Possible Playing 11
Sydney Sixers will play five consecutive matches at the SCG, starting today. They have made one change to their 13-man squad, with Lloyd Pope replacing Justin Avendano who was injured in the warm-ups on Perth.
Sydney Sixers Possible Playing 11: 1. Daniel Hughes, 2. Jack Edwards, 3. James Vince, 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Josh Phillipe (wk), 7. Tom Curran, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Steve O’Keefe, 10. Ben Dwarshuis, 11. Ben Manenti
As mentioned, Kane Richardson returns to the Renegades’ 13-man squad. He was out for two matches with hamstring soreness, and replaces Jon Holland in the squad. He will likely replace Joe Mennie in the final XI. Also, it remains to be seen whether Cameron White is brought back.
Melbourne Renegades Possible Playing 11: 1. Marcus Harris, 2. Mackenzie Harvey/Cameron White, 3. Sam Harper (wk), 4. Tom Cooper (c), 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Daniel Christian, 7. Beau Webster, 8. Jack Wildermuth, 9. Cameron Boyce, 10. Kane Richardson, 11. Harry Gurney
ALSO READ: January is flying by already, but why not check out my Test team of the year 2018?
Dream11 Prediction
- Sam Harper missed out in the last match, as well as earlier in the season against Sydney Sixers. However, he has a higher ceiling than Josh Phillipe as he bats up the order.
- Moises Henriques has 162 runs in his past five innings, including a fifty. He is threatening to play a big knock. He is my captain for this one.
- James Vince looked good for his 28 in the previous match against Perth Scorchers. Marcus Harris missed out in the last match, but returns to the ground where he struck the ball well in the recent Test match against India.
- Jordan Silk’s scores at SCG this season: 67*, 41*.
- Tom Curran scored 23* and took 3/18 in the game against Melbourne Renegades earlier this season.
- Cameron Boyce has taken all of his seven BBL08 wickets away from Marvel Stadium. Harry Gurney began his campaign with two wickets against Scorchers, and is a good option for death-over wickets.
- Steve O’Keefe is leading wicket taker with Rashid Khan in BBL08 (13), but is in doubt. Sean Abbott and Tom Curran are not far behind (11 each).
- Ben Manenti was man of the match against Melbourne Renegades earlier this season, so he’s worth a look, too.
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Stats and Facts
- Sydney Sixers have won five of their past six matches against Melbourne Renegades.
- Sydney Sixers thumped Melbourne Renegades earlier this season, restricting them to 99/9 in pursuit of 133.
- Sam Harper is the only Renegades batsman to hit a fifty in BBL08.
- Number of sixes in BBL08: Sydney Sixers: 21, Melbourne Renegades: 33
Match Prediction
Sydney Sixers return to the SCG for the first time since a heavy defeat to Melbourne Stars.
Despite their last start loss against Perth Scorchers, I will back the Sixers to get back to winning ways on the back of a polished performance.
Thanks for reading!
PS I recently partnered with the great team at onlinecricstore.com
- Purchase any cricket item and get a special discount with my name code: CHARBEL5
- Hope you enjoy my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!
Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades Preview Dream11
