Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
THU vs REN Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report: BBL 2021/22 Match 55 | THU vs REN Dream11 Prediction Today | Thunder vs Renegades Key Players | MCG Pitch Report
Sydney Thunder will be keeping a close eye on the Heat-Sixers match before this one. If the Sixers don’t pick up maximum points, the Thunder can then overtake them into the all-important second spot to battle with Perth Scorchers for a spot in next week’s BBL 11 Final.
To do that, however, the Thunder will need to improve on recent showings. After six straight wins, the Thunder have lost two straight, with their last outing against the Sixers a particularly disappointing one.
They welcome back Usman Khawaja after Test duty. The Thunder skipper comes in on a high after the Ashes triumph, which included twin centuries at the SCG. He heads up a talented batting lineup that will be aiming to bounce back from a poor showing vs the Sixers, and if they fire here, it serves as perfect preparation for the finals.
For Melbourne Renegades, only pride is at stake. They had a golden opportunity to achieve victory last night vs Hurricanes, only to fall short from a winning position. Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, who led the way yesterday, will be key again, but more is expected of the others including Ukmukt Chand who is expected to lineup for his second BBL match.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Sydney Thunder:
- Alex Hales belted the Renegades attack around on this ground earlier this season, scoring 63 off just 28 balls. Overall, Hales has smashed 248 runs in five matches vs Renegades at an average of 48.00 and strike rate of 184.73.
- Usman Khawaja will be aiming to make an impact right away on his BBL return. He recently scored twin centuries in the Ashes, and he too has an excellent record vs Renegades: 8 inns, 292 runs, avg. 48.67, SR 129.20.
- Jason Sangha has had a season to remember. He is the Thunder’s top run-scorer in BBL 11 with 382 runs in 10 matches at an average of 54.57 and strike rate of 132.17.
- Daniel Sams was player of the match earlier this season vs Renegades. He smashed an incredible 98* off 44 balls and took 1/10.
- Gurinder Sandhu has taken 10 wickets in seven matches vs Renegades at an average of 18.90. This includes brilliant figures of 2/8 off three overs earlier this season. Nathan McAndrew has seven wickets in five matches at an average of 17.43, including 1/23 earlier this season.
- Tanveer Sangha took 2/12 against Renegades earlier in BBL 11, and he will aim to target the Renegades’ weakness vs spin.
Melbourne Renegades:
- Aaron Finch played beautifully yesterday vs Hurricanes (75 off 52 balls). He has the most runs in Thunder-Renegades matches with 331 runs in 11 matches at an average of 30.09 and strike rate of 129.80.
- Shaun Marsh also struck a half-century yesterday, and fans can be confident he can make a similar score today. Marsh has a superb career record vs Thunder, with 391 runs in 10 matches at an average of 48.88 and strike rate of 145.35.
- James Seymour looked in good touch yesterday vs Hurricanes with 24 off 13 balls. Also, he top-scored for the Renegades against Thunder earlier this season with 25 off 23 balls.
- Cameron Boyce has taken five wickets in three matches this season (2/15, 1/30, 2/37). He will be aiming to build on his record vs three wickets in four matches vs Thunder at an average of 32.33.
- Zak Evans is a potential wicket-taker for the Renegades. He took 1/22 vs Thunder earlier this year, but he concedes 11.60 runs per over in his two matches against them.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 14, Renegades 9, Thunder 5.
- Thunder (209/7) belted Renegades (80) earlier this season.
- Renegades lead Thunder 3-2 at Marvel Stadium.
Possible Playing 11
Usman Khawaja returns for the Thunder. Muhammad Hasnain has been reported for a suspect bowling action and is not in the squad.
Sydney Thunder: 1. Alex Hales, 2. Usman Khawaja (c), 3. Jason Sangha, 4. Daniel Sams, 5. Matthew Gilkes (wk), 6. Ben Cutting/Alex Ross/Ollie Davies, 7. Nathan McAndrew, 8. Gurinder Sandhu, 9. Brendan Doggett, 10. Jono Cook/Arjun Nair, 11. Tanveer Sangha
Melbourne Renegades have also named their squad.
Melbourne Renegades: 1. James Seymour, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Shaun Marsh, 4. Sam Harper (wk), 5. Ukmukt Chand, 6. Jono Merlo, 7. Will Sutherland, 8. Josh Lalor, 9. Cameron Boyce, 10. Zak Evans, 11. Zahir Khan
MCG Pitch Report and Weather
The average first innings score at the MCG in BBL 11 is 149.16, with the chasing team winning five of the six matches. A warm and clear day is forecast for Melbourne.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time.
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Sam Harper
- Batsmen: Aaron Finch, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja
- All-rounders: Daniel Sams
- Bowlers: Gurinder Sandhu, Zak Evans
Match Prediction
Thunder to win.