On Thursday 15th of December, the Brisbane Heat host the Melbourne Renegades in Cairns for this BBL clash. This is both teams’ first game of this year’s tournaments so both will be eager to get an early win to get their tournament up and running.
Both teams have had a similar history in the BBL, where they have won the tournament once (the Heat in 2012-13 and the Renegades in 2018-19) but other than that have been rather unsuccessful, only making it to the semi-finals on two other occasions. The Heat and the Renegades also had a very unsuccessful tournament last year finishing 7th (second last) and 8th (last) respectively.
The Brisbane Heat have a strong English contingent in their squad with the likes of Sam Billings, Sam Hain, and Ross Whitely. They are also joined by the big-hitting Kiwi batsman Colin Munro and have Australian players such as Mitchell Swepson, Michael Neser, and Matt Renshaw. They also have Usman Khwaja and Marnus Labuschagne in their squad, but they are likely to be missing for a big chunk of the tournament as they are away with the Australian Test side.
The Melbourne Renegades will have a very experienced top order with Shaun Marsh, Kiwi Martin Guptill, and recent Aussie T20 World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch. Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson have also represented Australia in the past, with the former being in dominant form so far this season. The West Indian all-rounder and T20 superstar Andre Russell will also provide fast bowling and plenty of power with the bat.
It is a tight one to call, but the experience and batting power and depth that the Renegades have looks very exciting. For that reason, we think they will get the better of the home side in this match.
BETTING TIP: Melbourne Renegades to win the match @ 2.1 with bet365
BONUS BETTING TIP: Melbourne Renegades to have the highest opening partnership @ 1.91 with bet365
