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Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder BBL Preview: Thunder in red-hot form

By Sridhar Bhamidi

31 Dec 2020

Sridhar Bhamidi 31 Dec 2020

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Melbourne Renegades host Sydney Thunder in Match #22 of BBL 10 on New Year's Day
This match will be played at Metricon Stadium in Queensland
Melbourne Renegades have lost their last four matches in a row
Sydney Thunder have won two of the last three matches against Melbourne Renegades

The Thunder have been consistent while the Renegades have struggled for impact. (Getty Images)

The stuttering Melbourne Renegades will have a tough ask on their hands, on the New Year’s Day when they host Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League 2020-21. This match #22 will be played at Metricon Stadium in Queensland.

The Renegades have four points from five matches with one win and four losses. The Thunder, on the other hand, have 15 points from five matches with four wins and a loss.

Melbourne Renegades Form

After starting the season with a win, the Renegades fell to four straight losses. The lack of runs from their batsmen is apparent, as only Shaun Marsh (146 runs) and Aaron Finch (106) showing signs of digging their heels.

Kane Richardson has nine wickets this season and is the Renegades’ best bowler so far. However, with the likes of Rilee Rossouw, Simon Harper, and Mohammad Nabi yet to hit their straps, the Renegades have struggled for impact.

Melbourne Renegades News

The Renegades will not have the services of South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir after he informed the club he won’t be joining the team due to personal reasons.

Sydney Thunder Form

Sydney Thunder started their season with a loss, but have raised their game with four straight wins. Crucially, the magnitude of wins has improved for the Thunder as the margins of four wickets, seven wickets, 129 runs, and 75 runs suggest.

Captain Callum Ferguson has once again proved to be a consistent performer (197 runs, Avg. 49.25). Alex Hales has shown with his 29-ball 79 from the last match that he can be as destructive as any in this format. The English opener has 152 runs at a SR of 163.44 this season.

Sydney Thunder News

Fast bowling all-rounder Nathan McAndrew will be assessed in the training session after missing their last match with a lower grade side strain.

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder Head-to-Head

Melbourne Renegades lead the overall head-to-head record 9-3. They also have won seven of the last nine matches. However, it is the Thunder who have the recent advantage as they won two of the last three matches.

The most recent match was played this season on Boxing Day at Manuka Oval when the Thunder demolished the Renegades by 129 runs. The Thunder posted a healthy 209/8 riding on a belligerent 48 off 23 balls by Oliver Davies. The Renegades were then folded out for a paltry 80 all out in 12.2 overs with Tanveer Sangha posting figures of 4/14.

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder Match Up

The Thunder are reaping rewards of all-round performances across the squad. With Alex Hales coming to form, the Thunder will feel they have a slight advantage over the Renegades.

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder Stats

Melbourne Renegades have lost their last four matches in a row.
Melbourne Renegades average a tournament-low 119 runs per innings in this Big Bash League season.
Sydney Thunder have scored an average of 8 sixes per match, which is the highest this season.
Sydney Thunder have won their last four matches in a row.
The team batting first has won six of the last seven matches between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder.

Prediction

Sydney Thunder are the top-scoring side of the tournament so far and will hope to continue in that form. They have been hitting the maximums at will, which makes them a prime contender to repeat that trick. Melbourne Renegades have been struggling for batting form this season and have the lowest team average total of BBL10. The Thunders have won their last four matches in a row and look set to extend that tally.