BBL 2018/19, Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Renegades: Preview and Predicted Playing XIs
Brisbane Heat are set to host the Melbourne Renegades in the 26th game of the Big Bash League at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday, January 10. Both teams have faced each other nine times in the BBL history with the latter leading the scoreline 7-2.
In their previous encounter during the last season, Renegades secured a 26-run win. Batting first, the Renegades posted 187/3 in their quota of twenty overs and then bundled the Heat out for 161 to seal the match.
Melbourne Renegades
The Renegades are currently fifth in the BBL 2018-19 standings with three wins and three losses from six league matches. They boast a strong head to head record against Brisbane and this certainly gives them a psychological advantage ahead of the clash.
Batting
Sam Harper, Daniel Christian, and Mohammad Nabi are the Renegades' best batsmen with 127, 125 and 125 runs in six games respectively. In the absence of Aaron Finch, who won't be part of the squad in upcoming fixtures due to national duty, it'll be essential that at least one of them come out with an extraordinary performance against Brisbane Heat.
Bowling
Kane Richardson has been the pick of the bowlers with 11 wickets in six games, which includes a three-wicket haul in the previous fixture against Hobart Hurricanes. The pacer will be eager to rattle down the Brisbane top-order early. Meanwhile, Jack Wildermuth and Cameron Boyce have shared ten wickets between them and these two could build pressure on the opposition by slipping in a few tight overs.
Expected Playing XI
Tom Cooper (C), Mohammad Nabi, Daniel Christian, Beau Webster, Jack Wildermuth, Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson, Usman Khan, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, and Sam Harper.
Brisbane Heat
Heat currently occupy the seventh spot in the BBL 2018-19 standings with three wins and two losses from five league matches. After a disastrous start to their campaign, they managed to come back with back-to-back wins against the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder.
Batting
Chris Lynn has been in terrific touch in recent games with respective scores of 84, 33, and 54 and he is going to be the real threat for the Melbourne Renegades. Brendon McCullum too seems to found his form in the previous game against Sydney Thunder. The New Zealander hit a fine 56 from 35 balls while sharing a 76 run opening stand with his partner Max Bryant (36). These two will be expected to replicate their show against Brisbane. Meanwhile in case of a top-order failure, they will bank on Ben Cutting to get them through to a big total.
Bowling
Both James Pattinson and off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman have taken four wickets apiece this BBL and they will mostly depend on these two to get breakthroughs at regular intervals.
Expected Playing XI
Chris Lynn (C), Matt Renshaw, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Jimmy Peirson, James Pattinson, Brendan Doggett, Mitchell Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Max Bryant, and Brendon McCullum