It’s BBL time again, with a break in the ODI series between Australia and England, as the Melbourne Renegades host a red-hot Adelaide Strikers side. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:40pm (AEDT).
The Renegades need to win to stay in contention for BBL07 finals, while the Strikers can sure up a home semi with a victory tonight.
Adelaide are boosted by the returns of Alex Carey and Travis Head from international duty. Carey has been immense this season, top scoring for his team in their last three fixtures.
With the ball, Ben Laughlin, Rashid Khan and Michael Neser have been outstanding, while the quickest bowler in the competition, Billy Stanlake, is ruffling feathers through the middle.
As for the Renegades, they welcome back Cameron White from Australia commitments, but still don’t have the red-hot Aaron Finch at the top of the order.
Jake Weatherald has been good with the ball, and the Melburnians have a wealth of experience with one of the oldest rosters in the competition. Players like Tim Ludeman, Brad Hodge and the aforementioned White need to show all their class for the Renegades to keep their season alive.
Prediction
While both sides are getting players back from international duty, no Finch means no win for the Renegades.
Strikers in a canter.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:40pm (AEDT).
Bobbo7
Guest
Renegades lost the game at the toss - you don't let the Strikers bat first - they have a great bowling attack and can defend anything over 150. I could not believe the Renegades choose to bowl against the Strikers.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 20: THE ADELAIDE STRIKERS HAVE SEWN UP A HOME FINAL WITH A CRUSHING 26 RUN DEFEAT OF THE MELBOURNE RENEGADES AT ETIHAD STADIUM REN 7/147 End of, game over. Neser runs in to bowl the last set. Hodge does his best to make a game of it - pulling a full toss for six into the third tier, a four over cover, and another six over square leg. Maybe he should've batted higher - who knows. Regardless, the Strikers win, and win comfortably - they'll roll on into a home semi.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 19: REN 7/130 This game is fizzling out a bit, Laughlin bowling with good variation, but his last ball is a no-ball above the waist. Bowls Remain off the free hit, and they'll get four off the stumps. That is properly bizarre.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
WICKET! J. Wildermuth 3 (5) REN 6/121 Well it's Laughlin and Weatherald again but not quite the same acrobatics. Laughlin bowls back of a length, and Weatherald swipes it straight to Weatherald on the fence who takes a simple catch.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
WICKET! K Pollard 18 (12) REN 6/111 Well, that's probably the game. Pollard tries to heave Laughlin over the fence for a maximum, but can only drag it square to Lehmann who takes a safe catch.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 16: REN 5/111 Well, amidst me catching my breath there - Pollard hit Khan for 4, before Hodge plants him over midwicket for six. Still a heartbeat for the Renegades. Faint, but it's there.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
WICKET! DJ Bravo 4 (3) REN 5/100 Rashid Khan back into the attack - killer blow time for Head and the Strikers. As I type, Bravo swings for the skies, and can only get it as deep as LAUGHLIN! MY GOODNESS. He takes it running around to his left, and flings it backhanded falling over the rope to Weatherald running around who himself dives to take it. That is one of the most unbelievable things I've ever seen on a cricket field. Privileged and blessed!
rock86
Guest
WOW
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 15: REN 4/99 Wonderful spell of bowling from Stanlake, gets the two important wickets of Cooper and Harris - and only leaks 22 from it. Justifying his selection in the Aus t-20 squad with every game.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
WICKET! C. White 17 (23) REN: 4/92 Carey - another Catch! Stanlake, another wicket! Cooper, another top edge off a back of the length ball! Deja vu methinks... Renegades sink further.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 14: REN 3/92 Siddle back into the attack, and Cooper pops the first back over mid on for six - important boundary. Two off the second, and Pollard is nearly run out by the direct hit from mid on. Dot off the third. Another two off the 4th ball. Short arm jab off the 5th, and Cooper can't get back for the second. Oh no Peter! No Ball on the 6th ball, that Pollard swipes for 4. So he'll have a free hit now. Can only get two - but a big over for the Renegades, much needed...
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
WICKET! C. White 17 (23) REN: 3/70 Game over? Khan tosses up a wrong-un, and holds it back slightly. White looks leg side, and misses it by a week. Off stump is collected.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 12: REN 2/70 Laughlin back into the attack, and if this over doesn't go for 10+ it's probably game over. Dot to start as Cooper is punching straight to the cover fielder. Singles off the next three. Four off the fifth ball! Cooper laps this over fine legs head - and that's the Renegades first boundary in 8 overs. Next ball, slower ball short of a length and Cooper swats it behind square leg for another boundary. Decent over - 11 off.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 11: REN 2/58 Laughlin bowls the 11th, and it's another win to the Strikers. White and Cooper can only get ones and twos, before a searing Yorker on the last ball is just dug out by White.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 10: REN 2/53 Comment from Nikhil on Cricinfo: "Irrespective of bowling or conditions, 18 runs in 5 overs is not acceptable at this level of T20, especially with so many wickets in hand. This match is soon going to be out of the hands of Renegades." Completely agree - unfortunately, White is losing this game for his side. Not looking to be proactive - and happy taking ones and defending more often than not.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
WICKET! M. Harris 25 (31) REN: 2/51 Carey with another catch, Stanlake with the wicket. Something had to give after a few quiet overs, and Harris tries to put this out of Etihad. Bounces a little more than he expects, and can only top edge it as far as Carey who takes a brilliant running diving catch.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 9: REN 1/51 Rashid Khan bowls his second, and you'd think he'll bowl his 4 straight. He's an absolute asset for Travis Head to have in this period of the game. Five singles off the first five, then a dot to finish.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 8: REN 1/46 Siddle bowls the 8th over, and starts with two singles. White then chips down to long off to put Harris on strike - who can't get his late cut past short third man. Siddle has been impressive in this BBL. Single to finish.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 7: REN 1/42 End of the powerplay, and Rashid Khan is into the attack. White is back slicing for two, then taking one off the third to put Harris on strike. They swap singles now, and White doesn't pick Khan's wrong-un. Great first over from the young Afghani - 5 off.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
End Of Over 6: REN 1/37 Ben Laughlin to finish the powerplay. He starts well, two dots to Harris, who can only drop a single off the third ball. White is back defending the 4th ball. Single to finish, two off. Wonderful over from Laughlin to end the powerplay, and a great response from the Strikers.