Big Bash League 2019 Match 3, Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Sydney Thunder will look to make it two wins in two when they take on Melbourne Renegades in the third match of BBL 2019-20 at the Simmonds Stadium in South Geelong, Victoria on Thursday, December 19.

Thunder were mighty impressive in their opener against Brisbane Heat. They posted a considerable total of 172/6 against a bowling attack comprising Ben Laughlin, Josh Lalor, Zahir Khan and Mark Steketee, with Callum Ferguson hammering a 44-ball 73*.

There were good contributions from Alex Ross (30), Chris Green (25) and Usman Khawaja (22) as well, in a batting display that suggested they were far from reliable on only one player. It was a similar scenario with the ball as well, with all of Daniel Sams, Jonathan Cook, Green and Arjun Nair taking two wickets apiece to bundle out Heat for 143.

If the Renegades, the defending champions, had hoped for a comfortable tournament opener, they would have been taken aback after that Thunder display. However, Renegades aren’t defending champions for no reason, and have enough in the side to counter them.

They have added batting stardust to their disciplined bowling, with Shaun Marsh joining them. Marsh will link with up captain Aaron Finch in a potentially mouth-watering opening combo. But once again, it’s the bowling that will be their main strength.

Head to head

This is a one-sided rivalry. In nine previous clashes between Thunder and Renegades, victory has gone the way of the Renegades eight times. Thunder have won only once, and that came all the way back in 2014. Will this time be different?

Key players

Aaron Finch (Melbourne Renegades): The defending champions get their new season under way, and the onus is on the captain to set the right notes early in the campaign. Finch has been in fine form in the international circuits, and that bodes well for Renegades this season.

Callum Ferguson (Sydney Thunder): Ferguson was simply top-notch in the first game, his half-century and Player of the Match performance giving Thunder a great start. He will face more of a challenge from the Renegades’ bowlers, but should come through just fine.

Likely XIs

Melbourne Renegades: Aaron Finch (c), Shaun Marsh, Marcus Harris, Sam Harper (wk), Tom Cooper, Dan Christian, Jack Wildermuth, Kane Richardson, Cameron Boyce, Richard Gleeson, Harry Gurney

Sydney Thunder: Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Matthew Gilkes, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Arjun Nair, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Tremain, Jonathan Cook

Prediction Thunder to shock the defending champions in the opener.