The Renegades host the Brisbane Heat on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium to kick off a Saturday BBL double header. The Renegades are riding high after an incredible upset win against the Stars, while the Heat’s finals hopes are slipping away after consecutive big defeats at the hands of Scorchers and the Strikers. The Heat have slipped to seventh on the table, so this is a must win for the Heat to stay in the finals race. Can the Renegades get another upset win? Or will the Heat put a stop to their two game losing streak? See our full preview and betting tips for Saturday night’s clash below.
Marvel Stadium, Saturday January 23, 4:05pm
Melbourne Renegades Squad: Aaron Finch, Brody Couch, Zak Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey Peter Hatzoglou, Jon Holland, Josh Lalor, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Brayden Stepien, Will Sutherland, Imad Wasim, Beau Webster
Brisbane Heat Squad: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Joe Burns, Max Bryant, Tom Cooper, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Sam Heazlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Laughlin, Chris Lynn, Morne Morkel, Lachy Pfeffer, Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth
The Heat accounted for the Renegades in a comfortable five wicket win, led by their bowling attack that dismissed Finch, Mash and Harper for under 15 runs. The Heat’s side has been strengthened by the return of Test squad members in Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Swepson. Swepson’s inclusion will be crucial against a Renegades side that has been poor against spin this season. Adam Zampa (1/24, 0/24) and Zahir Khan (2/23,1/23) dominated against the Renegades in their last two games, whilst Matthew Kuhneman took 1/15 when the Heat last played the Renegades.
The Renegades have always relied on Aaron Finch heavily, aligned with the Renegades struggles this season, the skipper is in one of the worst form slumps of his career. In his last seven innings he has scored 18, 8, 0, 14, 13, 0 and 1 - 63 runs at an average of 9. The Renegades won’t stand a chance with Finch in the form slump he’s facing. Don’t be surprised if Swepson is introduced into the attack early to target Finch, the Stars had success in back to back games using spin against Finch early.
The Heat’s batting unit has struggled in their last two games, but with the likes of Lynn, Labuschagne, Denly, Bryant, Burns and Gregory, this team has too much talent to miss out again. The Renegades have been awful at closing out games with the ball, so if the Heat get themselves a platform to start from early, they could post a massive score. With Kane Richardson and Noor Ahmad out, it’s hard to see this young Renegades attack containing the Heat’s powerful batting unit. With the Heat needing a win to remain in the finals race, expect them to put in a big performance against the undermanned Renegades.
TIP:
Mackenzie Harvey etched his name into Renegades folklore with a match winning 47 not out off just 21 deliveries, as the Renegades came from the clouds to upset their crosstown rival. Harvey has shown plenty of potential this season scoring 153 runs at an average of 30, with a strike rate of 152. Harvey has dominated the power surge in his last two games with his ability to manipulate the field, a feature of his game recently.
Harvey has been crucial for the Renegades with his fearless nature at the crease, if he can begin to turn his starts into match winning knocks like he did on Wednesday, he’s going to become a very good player. Harvey’s ability to take length to the square boundaries is a massive strength at Marvel Stadium with the shorter square boundaries. After a breakout performance, Harvey will be full of confidence and ready to put up another big score.
TIP:
Whilst not looking at his absolute best this season, Chris Lynn has found a way to put runs on the board. Lynn has scored 317 runs at an average of 39, whilst striking at 149. Lynn’s last five games he’s returned scores of 48, 56, 50, 27 and 17. With the Heat’s season on the line, you can expect the skipper to put up a big score.
Lynn’s record against the Renegades is top notch, scoring 297 runs against Melbourne, the most of any Heat player. In his last four games against the Renegades he has scored 66 not out, 41, 14 and 50. With the Renegades missing Kane Richardson, Lynn will be liking his chances against the young Renegades bowling attack. Coming up against a side he has had plenty of success against, Lynn will be full of confidence.
TIP:
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