The Adelaide Strikers welcome the Melbourne Renegades to the Adelaide Oval for the second semi-final of this season’s BBL. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:40pm (AEDT).
This is the Renegades’ first finals appearance in five seasons, after they managed to finish in third position on the ladder – but it wasn’t enough to get a home final, as the Strikers finished second.
It may be a semi-final, but there is a bit of a subdued feeling going into this game, especially if you are a Strikers fan.
One could argue the fixture has been robbed of living up to its true potential due to scheduling put in place before the summer got underway.
With Australia facing New Zealand in the first international Twenty20 of the summer the day after this contest, Adelaide are without Alex Carey, and Billy Stanlake, who have been called up to represent their country.
The Renegades lose Kane Richardson to international duty and Brad Hodge to appendicitis, but Cameron White returns, after the ODI series wrapped up, which will add solidity to their batting.
Prediction
Despite it being a home final, the Strikers are disadvantaged by losing three key players to international duty, and that will be their undoing.
Renegades by 31 runs or five wickets
Can the Strikers overcome their absent friends, or will the Renegades prove too strong? Join The Roar from 7:40pm (AEDT) for all the action.
Bob
Guest
When you only lose 4 wickets and lose by 1 run questions have to asked. Turning down all those second runs in the last 4 overs was pure stupidity- how do these guys get contracts when they have such poor game awareness.
Alistair
Guest
Yep, only 90K AUD though. Rajasthan got a bargain as coach Dizzy said on Twitter.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Did he get a place in the IPL?
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Good for the Strikers.Their season deserves a GF. Travis Head was a pretty useful inclusion with a nice little 85. Shame the Scorchers couldn't have had Tye and Agar released.I couldn't see them going for 53 from 4
Alistair
Guest
Yeah 7 balls in the last 5 overs. Pollard made about 7 an over in the last 5, something like 29 off 21. Not really good enough.
Alistair
Guest
I remember going to a Strikers v Stars game in Jan 2013 I think, where Pollard batted us out of the game (scoring behind the rate) and when the game was over in the final over, he then pumped some sixes. We lost by a few runs and should have won easily. It's that combo of slow scoring but not getting out that is a team killer. The Renegades had 2 or 3 guys who didn't bat or bowl tonight, really killed them. Margin doesn't reflect the game really.
Basil
Guest
Check out Pollards International records and it puts it into perspective of just how overrated he is. It's a travesty that he has made so much out of the game.
Alistair
Guest
The obvious irony being that up until recently who he'd been a flop for was the Strikers, and had been a major reason they had fallen short of finals or the final in previous BBL's. He seems unable to clear the rope in the pressure games, in the BBL anyway (obviously been more effective in the IPL and CPL). Beau Webster had hit 5 boundaries in his last 8 BBL balls over two innings. Imagine if he could have come out with a couple overs left, Cooper at the other end.
JD St George
Roar Pro
Wrong
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Jake Lehmann would have to be one of the most over rated players going around. Can barely get the ball through the in field when batting and pathetic in the field. Dropped two sitters - in fact the second one he couldn't even get a hand on it. He can count himself lucky he's not being blamed for losing the match.
AREH
Roar Guru
Incredibly overrated and no doubt overpaid. I hope the Renegades no longer seek his service, as he's been a major flop in almost every appearance for them. For someone with so much T20 experience, he should've helped close that out with balls to spare. All icing and no cake sometimes is Keiron.
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
http://www.theroar.com.au/2018/02/02/adelaide-strikers-vs-melbourne-renegades-big-bash-league-semi-final-cricket-live-scores-blog/scoreboard/ SCORECARD!
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me tonight everyone! Hope you enjoyed the coverage and look out for the coverage for the BBL final on The Roar!
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
The Adelaide Strikers have progressed to the BBL final after defeating the Melbourne Renegades in a classic by one whole run at the Adelaide Oval. It was looking good early for the Strikers after they posted a total of 178/5, with runs coming from Travis Head (85*) and Jake Weatherald (57). Despite the big total, the Renegades came flying out of the box when Marcus Harris hit a quick-fire 47. Tom Cooper kept the innings ticking over with 36 not out, but it proved to not be enough. Kieron Pollard was given the honours of facing the final ball, but Ben Laughlin managed to get Pollard to play and miss, which saw the Renegades fall short by one run. The Strikers will face the Hobart Hurricanes in the final at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday 4th February.
E-Meter
Guest
An absolute show pony
Rob
Guest
What a great game. How good is Ben Laughlin in a pressure situation. The good old Ben boys from QLD have delivered in the BBL semi finals.
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Some game that!
AREH
Roar Guru
Renegades now the only team not to appear in a final after seven seasons, and this will be one that got away given how well under control they seemed to have this chase. The value of death bowling - not many can do it as well as Laughlin
Basil
Guest
Something humorous in watching a below par international cricketer like Pollard strut around like big man on campus in a domestic league. For all the gum chewing, and gold jewellery, he's just not as good as he thinks he is.