Second-placed, Hobart Hurricanes lock horns against Melbourne Renegades in an exciting encounter at the Big Bash League 2020.
Hobart lost their last game to Adelaide Strikers by five wickets in the BBL 2020. A target of 146 was never going to be enough. Though the bowlers managed to drag the contest till the 19th over, Hobart found themselves lacking a competent fifth bowling option.
Melbourne was crushed by 145 runs against Sydney Sixers. Chasing a huge target of 206. their batsmen folded up like a pack of cards as their star players, Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch failed to fire. Josh Lalor was the most expensive of the bowlers and he looked a pale shadow of his former self.
Team News
Hobart may not make any changes to their starting XI. Bowling all-rounder, David Moody can be tried out. Keemo Paul and Mitch Owen have been added to the squad.
A lot of chinks in the armor were exposed in Melbourne's team in the previous game. They can include a couple of bowlers like Jack Prestwidge and Will Sutherland. Marsh will be leading the side and Finch has taken a small break. Mohammad Nabi has been added to the squad.
Pitch and Conditions
The team batting first has won three out of four games played in Hobart this season. Hence, the batsmen must score big and set a competitive target that can be successfully defended by the bowlers. If the chasing side does not lose many wickets, they can romp home to victory.
Probable Playing XI
Hobart Hurricanes (HBH): D'Arcy Short, Will Jacks, Ben McDermott, Colin Ingram, Peter Handscomb (c & wk), Macalister Wright, Tim David, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Johan Botha, Riley Meredith
Melbourne Renegades (MLR): Shaun Marsh, Mackenzie Harvey/Brody Couch, Sam Harper, Rilee Rossouw, Beau Webster, Jake Fraser-McGurk/Mohammad Nabi, Benny Howell, Kane Richardson, Josh Lalor, Peter Hatzoglou, Jon Holland/Jack Prestwidge
Key Battles
Will Jacks vs Kane Richardson
Jacks scored a duck in the last game. The highly talented Englishman can clear boundaries effortlessly due to the length of his arms. He is a big-hitter and a street-smart player. He loves playing on flat pitches and possesses an astute cricketing brain.
Richardson conceded 37 runs and took a wicket in the previous match. He can move the ball around at the start and is a wicket-taking bowler. His ability to bowl at any stage of an innings makes him a big strength in the shortest format of the game.
Rilee Rossouw vs Riley Meredith
Rossouw got out for a golden duck in the last match. He is a free-flowing left-hander with a strong tactical nous. He is a vital cog in the middle order for Melbourne and can play a powerful knock on his day.
Meredith gave away 32 runs in the previous game and did not take a single wicket. He can easily clock above 140kph regularly. He is a crucial player who will be in the scheme of things to control the run flow in the middle overs.
Prediction
Both teams will look to get back to winning ways after suffering disappointing defeats in their last matches. A win for Hobart will see them go to the top of the table. Melbourne can enter the top two with a victory. Melbourne have some star players in their batting while Hobart has a set of good bowlers to do the job.
Cricwizz predicts Melbourne Renegades to win the match.
