Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Renegades Predicted XI, Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21

Languishing at the bottom of the points table, Melbourne Renegades poor form continues as they also lost their last match which was against Adelaide Strikers. While chasing 172 runs target, they were bundled out for just 111 runs. Their fourth-lowest total registered in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21.

Looking to break their seven-match losing streak, Aaron Finch-led Renegades will be again facing Adelaide Strikers on January 8 (Friday) at Adelaide Oval. But to win this match, every player of Melbourne Renegades will have to chip in efforts to take the game home.

Here let’s take a look at Melbourne Renegades’ predicted playing XI against Sydney Thunder:

Aaron Finch (c):

Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch is the main man of his side. The team totally depends on his batting display. In the last match, he was out for a duck, leaving his team to chase 172 runs target which is above par total for Renegades. After his fall of a wicket, the team was out of the game and were defeated by 60 runs.

Mackenzie Harvey:

Coming in place of Shaun Marsh, the 24-year-old Mackenzie Harvey was the highest scorer for his side in the last match against Adelaide Strikers. After the early departure of the skipper, he tried to set foot in the field but was not supported by the captain. He scored 34 runs off 29 balls before moving out of the field. As Shaun Marsh is likely to couple of more matches because he is expecting the birth of his child, Harvey has a good opportunity to become the hero of the team and earn the permanent place in the playing XI.

Sam Harper (wk):

In the last match, Sam Harper had tried to stabilize the innings with Harvey after Aaron Finch’s departure for duck but Dany Briggs broke their partnership by picking his wicket. He scored 31 runs off 30 balls in which he struck two fours and one six.

The wicketkeeper-batsman had also earlier stepped in against Hobart Hurricanes when the openers lost their wickets early in the last match. He amassed unbeaten 66 runs off 52 balls, striking four fours and two sixes. However, his knock could not help Melbourne Renegades to clinch the victory

The franchise will hope that they produce the same innings to get better off Adelaide Strikers.

Beau Webster:

The all-rounder Beau Webster, who has also played for Hobart Hurricanes, has not been effective so far. In the first match, he didn’t get the opportunity to bat but bowled three overs in which he gave away 14 runs while picked one wicket. Against SS, he scored only two runs besides going wicketless.

In the last match, he faced 11 balls but scored just 10 runs before losing his wicket. He neither has been effective with the ball nor with the bat. But Melbourne Renegades will back him considering he has experience of playing T20s.

Mohammad Nabi:

The Afghan allrounder Mohammad Nabi has also not been effective. In the first meeting against Adelaide Strikers, he picked only wickets while gave away 32 runs in his four-over quota. Talking about his batting, he consumed 16 balls to only add pressure on his partners as he was struggling to score runs. He was out after scoring 7 runs.

Imad Wasim:

The Pakistan allrounder Imad Wasim was the leading wicket-taker against Adelaide Strikers in the first meeting. In his three overs, he got the crucial wicket of Alex Carey and Jonathan Wells while conceded 13 runs. But he could not produce an impressive performance with the bat. He was out for one run. Melbourne Renegades will hope that Wasim gives an overall contribution to take the game home.

Jake Fraser-McGurk:

The 18-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was dropped after a low string of runs, returned back in the playing XI in the last match against Adelaide Strikers. He remained not out, scoring 11 runs, but he could not power-up the innings as the other end kept losing the wicket.

Jack Prestwidge:

The 24-year-old Jack Prestwidge went wicketless against Adelaide Strikers. He bowled only two overs that were economical but could not get a wicket. Melbourne Renegades will hope that he could get early wickets for them.

Kane Richardson:

Kane Richardson, who missed out on the limited-overs leg of Australia against India, had an impressive start of the 10th season of BBL. He notched three wickets in the maiden match with Melbourne Renegades to take the game home.

However, the pacer has gone expensive in the next three matches. Against Thunder in the first meeting, he picked the crucial wicket of Callum Ferguson and Chris green but could not control his run rate. He gave away 33 runs in his four overs. The team will hope to give them breakthroughs in the coming matches.

Josh Lalor:

Josh Lalor was the most expensive bowler in the disappointing defeat against Adelaide Strikers. He conceded 51 runs in his four overs without picking a wicket.

Being expensive in previous matches, he has been replaced with Zak Evans and a couple of others but his replacements haven’t done been effective

Noor Ahmad:

The 15-year-old Noor Ahmad was replaced with Jonathan Mark Holland in the playing XI against Hobart Hurricanes. He became the youngest overseas player to make his debut in the BBL. In that match, the young gun notched the prized wicket of the skipper Peter Handscomb while came out as the most economical bowler for Melbourne Renegades in that match. In his four overs quota, he registered the economy rate of 6.75.