BBL6 Game 24 Preview - Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes @ Docklands
Melbourne Renegades (2-3) v Hobart Hurricanes (2-4) @ Docklands Stadium
Preview – It’s a matchup of two desperate sides as the Renegades host the Hurricanes at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne tonight. The Renegades, after starting the season with two wins from three matches, have slumped to back-to-back losses, to put their season in jeopardy. After being thumped by the Stars on Saturday, the Renegades went down in the final over against the Sixers at the SCG, with the home side reeling in their 6/170 with three balls to spare. Having recruited strongly in the off season through Brad Hogg and Sunil Narine, and with Captain Aaron Finch available, there are no excuses for the Renegades if they don't make the finals this year. The Hurricanes look set for a 4th year running outside the finals after extremely disappointing performances against the Strikers and the Thunder in their last two matches. The Hurricanes batted meekly in both games and have failed to gel as a unit after their highly impressive first-up victory against the Sixers. The best the Hurricanes can hope for from here is to get two victories and hope results fall their way if they finish at 4-4. Last season, when the sides met at the same ground, the Renegades ran out convincing winners by five wickets.
Squad Changes - The Renegades make two changes for this must win clash. Chris Tremain has paid the price for his expensive displays in the last two matches as he and Tom Beaton both exit the squad of 13. Both Marcus Harris and Nathan Rimmington are back in the squad despite some mixed performances earlier in the campaign. The Hurricanes have reacted to their performances of late by dropping both Shaun Tait and Clive Rose from their 13-man squad. Tait has looked a shadow of his former self in BBL, while Rose has bowled ok without threatening to pick up wickets. Coming back into the Hurricanes squad are pace duo Sam Rainbird and Jake Reed.
Melbourne Renegades Scouting Report - The Renegades need to have a long hard think about continuing to open with a dicey pinch hitter in Sunil Narine. Peter Neville didn't even get a bat the other night in their loss to the Sixers, which gives you an indication of the flawed logic behind the move. With the Renegades middle order of Tom Cooper and Callum Ferguson finding some form, I would be shocked if we didn't see Cameron White promoted to open or one of their proper middle order batsmen thrown in, if they feel the need for a pinch hitter. Captain Aaron Finch played a more responsible type innings in Sydney and is putting together a decent BBL6 campaign. Finch has 201 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 150. I really think he will try and take the Hurricane’s bowlers down in the Power Play here, as Hobart has really struggled with the ball this year. With Ferguson and Cooper batting nicely at the SCG, I don’t think the Renegades are far off clicking and putting together a big score. The Renegades have brought back Nathan Rimmington into the squad for Chris Tremain, but may opt to play an extra spinner or all-rounder. Their quicks have been hit around the park in the last two games and the pitch at Docklands is likely to slow up and suit the likes of Hogg, Narine, Cooper and Perera. Marcus Short only bowled one over in Sydney, however it was a good one under pressure. The tall off spinner bowled around the wicket and bowled a tight line, and I think the Renegades might use him more tonight. Thisara Perera had a really impressive debut claiming 2/26 from 4 overs in a game where the other Renegade’s seamers went for over 10 runs per over. With his canny changes of pace, I expect him to be a real go to open at the death for a side that has struggled to close out games this year.
Hobart Hurricanes Scouting Report - The Hurricanes haven't given themselves a chance in the opening two games by losing a plethora of early wickets. Both openers Tim Paine and Darcy Short started BBL6 with a bang, however both have fallen very early in the Hurricane’s heavy defeats against the Strikers and Thunder. The Hurricanes slumped to 5/37 from 6 overs against the Strikers, before losing 2/16 in the opening overs against the Thunder. Whilst on both occasions they rebuilt their well with some good middle order batting from the likes of George Bailey, Jonathan Wells and Beau Webster, it left them short of a par score. To be honest, the Hurricanes have one of the weaker bowling line ups in BBL6 and, to win games, they need scores a lot closer to 180, than the 160 odd they have put on the board in the last two games. The Hurricanes have not been able to make many inroads in the past couple of games and they have shaken things up a bit by dropping both Shaun Tait and Clive Rose. I expect either one of Sam Rainbird or Jake Bird to make their first appearance of BBL6 as the Hurricanes search for a seamer that can prove a bit more reliable and consistent. Cameron Boyce hasn't bowled badly, however he probably has not had the sort of impact the Hurricane envisaged from their leading spin bowling option. Boyce has 5 wickets at an average over 30 and an economy rate over 8 runs per over.
Verdict - Going on form, you would have to think the Renegades are specials here. They are back at home at a ground where they play their best cricket, against a side that hasn't really been too competitive in their last two games. While the Hurricanes have suffered some lopsided losses, the Renegades have been narrowly beaten in the final over in two of their games, suggesting their 2-3 record is slightly harsh and not reflective of the type of side they are. However, in the game of T20 cricket, two or three players can win you a game, and if the Hurricane’s openers in Short and Paine fire that has propelled their side to a couple of dominant wins this year. So I suggest that’s where this game will be largely decided, in the Hurricanes batting Power Play. Expect the Renegades to bowl over 10 overs of spin here as they look to their strengths. For the Hurricanes to be competitive in this game, I feel they need to score around 170+ otherwise I think this game will be relatively one sided.
The Lurker - "I said the Hurricanes stink at the start of BBL6 and I am filthy on myself for taking them for the first time against the Thunder. The Renegades are morals in this game as they need to win to keep their finals hops alive. Have a lash at Tom Cooper to score 25+ into a Renegades win. Also I like the look of the Aaron Finch/Sunil Narine High Bat/Bowler double for the Renegades.