- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Despite a mathematical possibility for Brisbane Heat to enter the semi-finals, Melbourne Renegades have more to lose if they go down in this 24th game of the Big Bash League at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.
We’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action throughout the game, with the match starting at 7.00 pm AEDT on January 12.
The Renegades can still realistically make it to the knock-out stage of the Big Bash League if they win their last two games. First up will be the resurgent Brisbane Heat, who registered their first victory in the competition against the then table-toppers Hobart Hurricanes.
Renegades are coming off a loss to their neighbours Melbourne Stars, in a game affected by rain and decided by the Duckworth-Lewis system. They will hope for a full game although the forecast sees a chance of showers.
Their problem all this tournament has been inconsistent bowling. Most other teams are relying on slow bowling to restrict the opposition but the Renegades have gone in the other direction by adding ferocity in their pace attack.
Unfortunately for them, Shaun Tait’s inconsistencies (economy rate of 10.25) have hurt them much more than what Shahid Afridi’s (economy rate of 6.35) frugality has helped.
The return of Brad Hodge has strengthened the batting, which was lacking bite earlier. He made only 10 in the previous game but his experience should stand out in this vital game. How the likes of Andrew McDonald, Afridi and Glenn Maxwell go in the middle-order will go a long way in papering over the side’s bowling deficiency.
Brisbane coach Darren Lehmann may still be optimistic about his team’s chances of making it to the last four but it will require them a miracle and a half.
First and foremost, they need two wins in a row. Then, they need to hope that two other results go their way – Hurricanes defeat Renegades and Strikers beat Stars – before praying for their net run-rate to miraculously leapfrog over Stars and Strikers.
It is a wonder whether Lehmann would have actually gone to the extent of explaining the mathematics of it all to his wards but the message will be clear. Fight till you have a chance.
Matthew Hayden’s form in the previous game will be encouraging. So will his partnership with Andrew Robinson in the Hobart game.
Roelof van der Merwe adds chutzpah to the middle-order and despite Daniel Vettori’s poor spell against Hobart, his presence will add sheen to the Brisbane bowling.
Daniel Christian has yet to arrive at the Big Bash party this season and it will not be bad timing if he can do that with two matches to go.
The Renegades will still be favourites.
We will bring you the coverage throughout the game from Melbourne from 7.00 pm AEDT and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.