Our BBL scribe previews Thursday's game between the Renegades and the Scorchers.
It may be the early stages of the Big Bash but that does not mean there has been a shortage of action. There have been over 80 sixes hit in just 7 games at the time of writing and this season’s tournament looks like it is shaping up to be a cracker. Game 9 should be no different with Aaron Finch’s Renegades taking on Adam Voges’s Perth Scorchers side.
Big Bash Game 9 | Renegades v Scorchers | Thursday 29 December | Docklands | 10:10
To Win Match
Renegades 17/20| Tie 35/1| Scorchers 19/2
Renegades
The Renegades got their season off to an absolute flyer after winning their first game by a mammoth 49 runs. In that game, Finch batted extremely well to get his side off to the best possible start with 63 runs from just 37 balls! Callum Ferguson and Dwayne Bravo batted well in the middle order to end with scores of 38 and 24 respectively. Bravo backed up his batting by being one of three bowlers to pick up two wickets, along with the ageless Brad Hogg and Sunil Narine.
The Renegades have some very experienced T20 players within their ranks. Aaron Finch has done it all, while Cameron White is an ex-Australian T20 captain. Bravo and Narine have been on the circuit for ages and Hogg just never seems to stop, despite being 45 years old! Other players such as Marcus Harris, Tom Cooper, Peter Nevill and Chris Tremain have all been playing in the domestic scene for ages and bring big value to this very good and well-rounded side. They will have to be at their best to beat the Scorchers but I have to say, looking at this lineup, these players are very rarely not at their best.
Scorchers
As I have previously written, the Scorchers are a big side in the BBL. They have never finished outside the top four and have been involved in four finals, winning two. This season may be different if they do not find some consistency soon. Yes, they may be just two games in, but after their very impressive victory against the Strikers, a game in which they scored 197 with just about everyone making a contribution, they followed up with an absolute stinker of a performance aginst the Sixers. In that game, they were dismissed for just 130 and were beaten with 12 balls to spare by a Sixers side missing most of their bowling attack.
Max Klinger may have to make way for Cameron Bancroft as the ageing opener has not been able to find much form at the top of the order while James Muirhead may come in for Ashton Turner. Ian Bell has looked good so far, as has Mitch Marsh and Sam Whiteman. David Willey has bowled well and I do believe that they should consider opening the batting with him. The man has an impressive record as a T20 opener which includes a century. Adam Voges needs to contribute a bit more in my opinion, after making only 3 runs from their 2 games. Overall they just need to find consistency, the top order needs some form and I think change is required if they are to go on a good run.
Verdict: Renegades To Win At 17/20
I just can’t look past the Renegades here. Their batsmen should have too much for the Scorchers bowlers with the likes of Finch, Harris, Bravo and Ferguson looking to continue their good form. If the Scorchers show up and perform like they can, they will be hard to stop but their side just seems as though it is struggling to come together at the moment. Back the Renegades here.
Written by Dale Vos for @Hollywoodbets.