Big Bash Semi Final Preview – Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades
Tonight the Adelaide Strikers host the Melbourne Renegades with the reward for the winner being a home grand final against the Hobart Hurricanes.
The Strikers will be minus Alex Carey and Billy Stanlake who have been called up to the Australian T20 side. Both have been key contributors throughout their campaign with Carey being the second leading runscorer in the BBL07 with 425 runs at a strike rate of 143.09 and Stanlake sitting in the top 10 wicket takers in BBL07 with 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.47. On the upside they welcome back their skipper and gun batsman Travis Head who has been granted leave form the Australian T20 setup. Head sits 15th on the leading runscorers table for the tournament with 245 runs at an average of 35 and strike rate of 125.64.
For the Renegades Cameron White is a key inclusion after his recent stint in the Australian One Day side but they will miss Kane Richardson. Despite missing games on national duties White sits fifth on the Big Bash Runscorers table for this season with 302 runs at an average of 100.66.
The match result market with TABtouch has seen strong support for the Adelaide Strikers. They were at $2 yesterday and have now firmed into $1.87 while the Melbourne Renegades have drifted from $1.80 out to $1.95.
In analysing the match it looks very even on paper. The Renegades have been well served by Marcus Harris (8th leading runscorer in BBL07 279 runs at a strike rate of 125.67) and Tom Cooper (9th leading runscorer in BBL 07 262 runs at a strike rate of 143.95) and will be looking for big knocks from them. Should they be able to set a platform the likes of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo are capable of putting some cream on the cake with some lofty hitting late in the innings.
For the Strikers their import Colin Ingram has been outstanding. He sits equal 9th on the BBL07 Leading Runscorer table with 262 runs at a strike rate of 137.17. Weatherald, Dean, Wells and Lehmann are all capable players in their top order that can play their part if required.
From a bowling perspective both sides are a little vulnerable down to their 4th and 5th bowling options but hold quality at the top. Rashid Khan is the equal leading wicket taker of the tournament with 17 wickets at an economy rate of 5.52 runs per over for the Strikers while for the Renegades Dwayne Bravo is the other leading wicket taker of the tournament with 17 wickets at a more expensive strike rate of 8.13. Ben Laughlin is one of the great stalwarts of the Big Bash and he has had another excellent tournament for the Strikers taking 15 wicket at an economy rate of 8.16. Michael Neser and Peter Siddle have both done their job for the Strikers while Jack Wildermuth and Kieron Pollard are likely to get the job done with the ball for the Renegades.
In what is almost a toss of the coin job I will lean slightly towards the Melbourne Renegades. For them to win I am relying on White, Harris, Matthew Short and Cooper to set a platform and Pollard and Bravo to help add on some quick runs late. How they handle Rashid Khan will be a key factor in this match. It promises to be another wonderful contest.
Verdict : Melbourne Renegades at $1.95
Novelty Bets :
Top Melbourne Renegades Batsman : Cameron White $3.70
Top Adelaide Strikers Batsman : Colin Ingram $3.50
Top Melbourne Renegades Bowler : Dwayne Bravo $3.20
Top Adelaide Strikers Bowler : Rashid Khan $2.75
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