Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades

Match Odds

SYDNEY THUNDER –

v MELBOURNE RENEGADES –

26/12/20, 07:10am (GMT), Canberra

Match Preview

Boxing Day Big Bash is back! Round 3 will see Sydney Thunder take on Melbourne Renegades in Canberra.

The Thunder looked rusty in their opener against Melbourne Stars, but a clinical run chase to down Brisbane Heat and subsequent victory against the Scorchers on Tuesday gives them plenty of momentum heading in to this one.

We’ve yet to see Alex Hales or Usman Khawaja hit full throttle yet, so there is plenty more to come from Calum Ferguson’s men, who have yet to be bolstered by the arrival of Sam Billings. It’s simply a matter of when, not if, the Thunder’s explosive middle order – Ben Cutting, Daniel Sams, and Chris Green from six to eight is frightening – really ignite and, on their day, very little will be able to live with its power. If the under-the-radar Thunder turn it on, the Renegades have their work cut out!

Tuesday night’s seven-wicket win saw Ferguson pass 1,000 BBL runs for the Thunder and Sam’s claiming his 50th BBL wicket – confidence will be sky high!

Adam Milne’s pace is proving a useful option, with spinners Tanveer Sangha and Green ably supporting the talismanic Sams.

Left-arm paceman Sams, the highest wicket-taker in last year’s competition, will be looking to restrict the Renegades to below or around the par score of 165. If they do, they win this one. 

However, the Renegades have won in each of the last four encounters with the Thunder, so there will be no lack of belief in the camp.

With the bat, it’s when you scratch beneath the returning Aaron Finch that you might be a little concerned. Shaun Marsh and Beau Webster will keep the scoreboard ticking over and will no doubt account for the lion share of the runs, but when it comes to power and digging themselves out of tough situations, that’s when you start to question the balance of their side.

Bowling-wise, they’re quite the opposite. They have a bowling unit with good credentials, that offer a variety of options and flexibility too. Imran Tahir and Noor Ahmed provide quality spin, backed up by the pace of James Pattinson and Kane Richardson.

The Renegades look set to welcome back Finch, which should give Michael Klinger’s side a much-needed lift, but their stuttering start in the context of last season’s nine-game losing run at the start of the season, will undoubtedly be weighting heavy.

Much will be decided by the battle between Finch, Marsh and the Thunder’s bowling unit and we’re backing the latter to get the job done and make it three on the bounce for coach Shane Bond’s side.

Our Tips

Melbourne Renegades most run outs conceded 13/5 – @Betway

With the likes of Finch, Marsh and Webster having to work hard in the middle for their runs, the Renegades should concede the most run outs as they try to post a competitive score.

Daniel Sams to be the Thunder’s best team bowler 12/5 – @Bet365

Sam’s, who took his 50th wicket in the BBL last time out and was last season’s leading wicket-taker in the competition, should lead the line for the Thunder and claim a sizeable haul.

For everything you need to know about our Big Bash League betting tips, you can visit our dedicated BBL page and also learn about about the various betting markets here.

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