Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades Preview Dream11

Fourth plays third in the race to the BBL08 Finals.

After harping on about it for seemingly an age, the competition is in need of close games, especially with the Australian Open Tennis going really strongly, as always. Given the inconsistency of both these sides, anything can happen.

Sydney Thunder’s least favourite ground is the Gabba, and no longer because they have never won there. The floodlight failure last week just about robbed them of a vital win, but the efficiency of their performance is something they can be encouraged by. They come against a side that won’t be too surprised with the slower conditions at Spotless Stadium, so the challenge will be to continue the good form they have showed in their last couple of matches.

Melbourne Renegades’ win-loss pattern continued on Saturday night, losing to Marcus Stoinis’ Melbourne Stars. If the pattern is to continue, their bowlers will hurt Sydney Thunder on the way to a victory, just like they did to Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers in their previous two wins. With the Strikers losing badly yesterday, can the Renegades create breathing space between them and other top four challengers?

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

Jos Buttler left for England duty in West Indies, and Shane Watson has come to life. The Thunder skipper has taken responsibility brilliantly, scoring 68 and 100 in the last two games, leading from the front. He will be crucial to the Thunder’s chances tonight, as he has the ability to get them off to a flyer and then hold things nicely in the middle overs. However, the support he gets will also be key, with the return of Jason Sangha an important boost in the middle order, who needs to step up along with the likes of Anton Devcich, Callum Ferguson and Daniel Sams.

Also, can the Thunder bowlers restrict the Renegades batsmen on one of the slower pitches of BBL08? Chris Jordan and Gurinder Sandhu started beautifully against the Heat before the floodlight drama intervened, and both will be key in setting up a platform the spinners to do their thing. Fawad Ahmed, Jono Cook and Chris Green have all enjoyed life at Spotless Stadium at most times this season, and if they can pick up regular wickets, the Thunder will force Mohammad Nabi and Daniel Christian to play rebuilding knocks, which will go a long way to victory.

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Key to a Melbourne Renegades win

Will it be a night the Renegades’ top order fires? Aaron Finch has struggled for form in recent times, but BBL allows for freedom with the bat. How he fares against opposition captain Shane Watson can be crucial to the result, setting up the platform for the likes of Tom Cooper, Sam Webster, Mohammad Nabi and Daniel Christian to pounce on the Thunder attack. Conditions might be on the slower side at Spotless Stadium, which was on display when Adelaide Strikers struggled last week, so how well the Renegades deal with the Thunder spinners will be key. Given the Renegades play their home games on the slow track at Marvel Stadium, they shouldn’t be in for too much of a shock.

Also, can the Renegades remove Shane Watson early? The likes of Kane Richardson, Harry Gurney, Mohammad Nabi and the returning Chris Tremain (if picked) will be crucial at the top to give the Renegades a strong foothold in the match. However, Cameron Boyce, who has been a little short on wickets of late, has a key role to play against a Thunder middle order that has shown to lose quick wickets at times in BBL08. All to play for as the finals near.

Possible Playing 11

Jason Sangha, who was playing for Cricket Australia XI vs Sri Lanka, is back in the Sydney Thunder squad. Sam Rainbird is also back, replacing Nathan McAndrew. Arjun Nair took four wickets vs the Strikers on this ground last week, and could play ahead of Cook.

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

Melbourne Renegades have made three changes to their 13-man squad. Marcus Harris is now on Australian Test duty, and Jack Wildermuth and Joe Mennie are also out. Beau Webster, Chris Tremain and Jon Holland are in.

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

Dream11 Prediction

• Sam Harper is coming off a duck against Melbourne Stars, but he is likely to bat higher up the order than opposition keeper Jay Lenton.
• Aaron Finch has struggled for Australia in recent times, but the BBL could be the platform for him to fire. Incidentally, he was man of the match in his last game vs Sydney Thunder.
• Tom Cooper has scored 119 runs in his last four innings at 39.66. He is finding form nicely.
• Shane Watson has scored 68 and 100 in his last two innings, and is an excellent choice for captain.
• Daniel Sams as the Thunder finisher makes my side. Anton Devcich has made a solid start to BBL life with two starts, and Mohammad Nabi has five wickets in his last two matches.
• Fawad Ahmed has taken 10 wickets in BBL08. Eight have come at Spotless Stadium.
• Chris Jordan has taken two wickets in four overs in BBL08.
• Cameron Boyce has taken just two wickets in his last five games, and seems to enjoy the quicker pitches. Harry Gurney, with his variations, could be a big factor on the Spotless Stadium track.
• Kane Richardson is equal top wicket taker, and was man of the match last season vs Sydney Thunder, where he took 4/22.

Stats and Facts

• Melbourne Renegades have won their last four games against Sydney Thunder.
• Aaron Finch has top scored for his side the last two teams he has played Sydney Thunder.
• Shane Watson is the first and only player to score a century in BBL08.

Match Prediction

Two evenly matched and inconsistent sides go at it in an important game.

Given the Renegades’ strong record against the Thunder, I will pick them to get an important win in the race to the finals.

Thanks for reading!