The 2nd Semi-Final of BBL07 will see the Adelaide Strikers host the Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval on Friday evening.
Both teams have enjoyed a successful Big Bash League series. The Strikers earned the home final after finishing second on the ladder with seven wins and three losses, while the Renegades finished third with a 6-4 record. The winner will take on the winner of the 1st Semi Final between the Scorchers and Hurricanes.
While the Strikers will enjoy home ground advantage, their lineup has been hurt with several of their best players called up for international duties with the Australian T20 squad. Skipper Travis Head, leading run-scorer Alex Carey and strike bowler Billy Stanlake are all missing which really is a huge chunk of our their side. It will leave Jono Dean to open the batting, and that was proven to be a concern in the last match. Peter Siddle will return from being rested while Wes Agar will hold his spot. The keeping position is likely to be handed to youngster Harry Nielsen who impressed with his striking ability for the CA XI earlier in the season.
As we’ve said many times over, the Strikers’ success will fall heavily on the shoulders of stand-in skipper Colin Ingram. If he can fire, then the Strikers can post a big score and defend it well with their quality attack. But if Ingram fails, it leaves the pressure on Jake Weatherald, Jono Wells, Jono Dean and Jake Lehmann – not exactly the most consistent quartet of T20 batsmen you’ll ever find.
The Strikers’ strength of definitely with the ball. They will miss Billy Stanlake, but Ben Laughlin and Rashid Khan have been excellent, both in terms of taking wickets and being difficult to score against. Peter Siddle has also provided good support and Wes Agar showed he was up to the level last match.
The Renegades haven’t been as savaged by the Australian selectors. Kane Richardson will be missing after collecting eight wickets in his last two games, but skipper Cameron White returns to the lineup. Aaron Finch will remain with the international T20 squad, despite a recent hamstring strain. Brad Hodge will also be missing after coming down with appendicitis.
The depth of the Renegades has been tested in recent weeks, but the likes of Matt Short and Beau Webster have stood tall with some impressive contributions from limited opportunities. Tom Cooper has also been excellent this season. He’s an experienced cricket who perhaps never reached the highs that he could’ve, but he’s shown this season that he is a triple threat – scoring runs with the bats, getting some cheeky overs in with the ball and some brilliant fielding. Marcus Harris has also turned his form around after being threatened with the axe.
The ball is probably the concern for the Renegades, especially without Kane Richardson. Who will replace him? Brad Hogg as been overlooked in favour of Jon Holland in the last two matches, but Holland has struggled. You would think Hogg is set for a recall for the semi. Chris Tremain has come in and bowled well and the underrated Jack Wildermuth has been very good all season. Dwayne Bravo will bowl his four overs, but they won’t want Kieron Pollard having to bowl a full four so the part-timers will need to fill the quota.
If the Strikers can post a big enough score, they will be in the match, but on paper the Renegades’ batting depth might be the difference. They have a more dangerous, dynamic batting attack that will be hard to control, even if their bowling isn’t the best. The only way I see the Strikers winning is if Ingram goes bananas.
TIP: Melbourne Renegades to win - $1.80 at Ladbrokes
Edit: Since the time of writing, Travis Head has been released by Cricket Australia and is available to play in this match. The selection circus continues! As such, this now becomes a much closer match and we would approach a bet with some caution.
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