BBL 2022-23, Renegades vs Thunder: Preview, Prediction and Fantasy Tips

Renegades won their first game against Brisbane Heat [Source: Twitter]

The seventh match of the ongoing Big Bash League will see Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder cross swords against each other in Melbourne on Sunday. This is a must-win game for the Thunder, who the Strikers handed a gut-wrenching 124-run defeat on Friday. 

The Renegades began their BBL 2022 campaign with a bang, recording a convincing 22-run victory over Brisbane Heat. Although Nic Maddinson, Sam Harper and Andre Russell contributed handsomely, the performances of their two pillars, Aaron Finch and Jon Wells, were not up to the mark. However, they hunted as a group on the bowling front, with Akeal Hosein leading the pack with a sensational three-for. Veteran bowlers Kane Richardson and Mujeeb Ur Rahman went wicketless and would, therefore, like to make their mark in this fixture. 

On the other hand, the Thunder are coming off a demoralising defeat to the Strikers, who dismissed them for a paltry 15, the lowest-ever total in Men's T20s. Although their bowlers have been phenomenal, not allowing the opponents to breach the 140-run barrier so far, their batters have been equally poor, letting them down on both occasions. Rilee Rossouw is yet to score in double digits, while Alex Hales has managed only 16 runs in two outings. Apart from these two, the Men in Green would like better returns from Jason Sangha, Alex Ross and Daniel Sams, who collectively managed three runs in the last game. All in all, they need to regroup and ensure that they don't repeat the horror show they put up against the Strikers on Friday. 

Match Details

Date and Time: December 18, 01.45 PM IST
Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV App

Pitch Report: The surface at the Docklands stadium in Melbourne generally assists batters. However, sometimes the track stays slightly two-paced, so chasing becomes difficult with time. Teams batting first won eight of eleven matches at the venue last season. So, the toss-winner will likely opt to bat first in this game. 

Predicted XIs

Melbourne Renegades will likely continue with the same team, while the Thunder might replace Oliver Davies and Brendan Doggett with Ben Cutting and Nathan McAndrew. 

Melbourne Renegades: Sam Harper (WK), Nic Maddinson (C), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Finch, Jonathan Wells, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes (WK), Rilee Rossouw, Jason Sangha (C), Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Gurinder Sandhu, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicket-Keeper: Sam Harper
Batters: Alex Hales, Jonathan Wells, Alex Ross
All-Rounders: Andre Russell, Daniel Sams, Nic Maddinson
Bowlers: Akeal Hosein, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gurinder Sandhu, Kane Richardson

Captain: Andre Russell
Vice Captain: Fazalhaq Farooqi

Prediction

Considering the recent form of both teams, Melbourne Renegades are expected to emerge victorious in this match. However, the Thunder have a formidable lineup and can win this game only if they bat as per their potential. 

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