The new look Melbourne Renegades will look to spoil the Sydney Sixers party when the two sides clash with the Big Bash League rolling on to the SCG. Join us here on The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEDT).
They might be without Murali this year but the Renegades have added some quality to last year’s line-up. Matthew Wade is a nice coup from city rivals the Melbourne Stars and Callum Ferguson is capable of scoring at a good rate on his day.
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However the big loss comes with Jos Buttler not being re-signed for this new Big Bash season as he was a revelation for the Renegades last year, and was a shining light in a competition where they perhaps underachieved.
Jesse Ryder could be a handy addition as an All-Rounder with the Kiwi having a handy average of 90 (not out) and he can also bowl some nice medium pacers. The Renegades are a great unknown in this competition but Aaron Finch will again be expected to shoulder the load and spend most of the 20 overs at the crease.
When he was on fire last year the Renegades look like beating anyone, so if the Stars can remove him early that will go a long way to deciding this game.
The Sixers have also been busy in the off-season and looking at the changes to their list they look like they have carved a lot of their dead wood and added some real match winning quality.
Ryan Carters is one of my favourite players in Australian cricket and he has been in awesome form, coming close to a double century in Sheffield Shield a few weeks ago. It looks like he will replace Dan Smith who has been unsigned, but Carters’ T20 form for the Thunder last year was patchy and I expect him to bat down the order.
‘The Rug’ Doug Bollinger makes the move across from Hobart and the left armer will look to continue his damaging work with the ball. He and Brett Lee could form one of the competitions most damaging fast bowling combos so that will be something to keep an eye out for tonight.
Forgotten Australian Ed Cowan has also made the move across from Hobart and someone of his quality will add something to the Sixers line up.
Prediction: This game has a few unknowns, mainly surrounding Finch and whether or not the Sixers bowling attack can contain him. Also the Renegades bowling attack looks a little thin, but Nathan Rimmington was great in this competition last year so expect him to be the Renegades lead in attack.
I’m going to go with the home ground advantage and pick the Sixers in this one.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
The Sixers set this win up with some great bowling in patches. Early in the game it looked like the Renegades might get the game away from the Sixers but Brett Lee and Abbott were brilliant with the ball denying the Renegades a big score. Maddinson was epic with the bat breaking all sorts of records for the Sixers tonight and he gets the man of the match with 84 not out, thanks for joining me tonight it's been good fun!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Cowan whips it away onto the leg side and that's the game! The Sixers win by eight wickets. Sixers 2/158
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
He let's it go through! Sixers 2/154
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Cowan comes in to finish it off. Sixers 2/154
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Henriques looking to hit the winning runs and he's gone! Bravo takes a catch and you'd be filthy if you had to come out and bat for this haha. Sixers 2/154
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Maddinson highest score by a Sixer passing Haddin and also the most sixers by a sixer. He gets a single and they can't lose now. Sixers 1/154
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Three to win and Maddinson hits the single, two to win and one to draw. Sixers 1/153 after 18 overs.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Maddinson clubs it through cover and it looks like it'll go for four, but Russell looks like he saved it. Nope the double touch has killed the big man there. Sixers 1/152
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Rimmington takes over again and he beats the bat of Maddinson. This is a record second wicket stand for the Sixers, 82 off 56 so far. Sixers 1/146
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Maddinson pulls it wide for another single, nine to win for the Sixers off the final three overs. Sixers 1/146 after 17 overs.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Now he squeezes a single. Sixers 1/144
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Another two, highest score by Maddinson in the big bash. Now he advances and that's six more! Sixers 1/143
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Easy three runs through the gap behind point. Sixers 1/135
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Ahmed now comes back on, this over is crucial. Sixers 1/132
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full toss gets played down to fine leg for two. Sixers 1/132 after 16 overs.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
It's Maddinson's night, he top edges this one and he goes over the head of Wade and all the way for four more! Sixers 1/130
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Henriques flicks it down to fine leg following a wide. Sixers 1/126
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Interesting as too why Fekete was taking out of the attack last over as he replaces Bravo here, conceding a single off his first two balls. Sixers 1/123
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Now six! Siddle has been smashed this over and Maddinson punishes him again with another six over third man's head. 19 from the over. Sixers 1/122 after 15 overs.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Now down the ground for a single. Now on the next Cooper has a chance for a catch, he hesitates and it beats Cooper and goes for four more! Massive over here, maybe a match winning one for the Sixers. Sixers 1/116