Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 26 Jan 2021

mlr vs hbh Match Prediction & Analysis

Hobart Hurricanes have recovered well in the series after the poor start. They are fifth on the points table and shall look to seal their spot in the playoffs with a win against the Melbourne Renegades in the 55th game of the season. The Hurricanes come here after a thrilling win against the Sydney Sixers while the Renegades suffered another crushing defeat against the Brisbane Heat in the last game.  

The Renegades have played poorly right through the season and have managed just three wins so far. Their record against the Hobart Hurricanes in the recent years has also been poor where they have managed just one win in five games. With momentum on their side the Hurricanes would be looking to win this one and go ahead in the side. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Melbourne Renegades Preview

They had finished last in the previous season and shall do this time as well. Aaron Finch’s side has managed just three wins this season. They suffered yet another loss against the Brisbane Heat in the last game where they lost by 26 runs. As Finch leads his players on the park for the final time this season he would be looking for a consolatory win that will offer respite to the players as well as their fans.  

Shaun Marsh has done well at the top but Finch has looked in miserable form and this pair will need to do well for the side to win. Sam Harper has scored runs but he will need good support from Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey and beau Webster who have had a poor season so far. Imad Wasim and Jack Prestwidge can hit the ball hard and they will have to do so in this game. 

Imad Wasim and Peter Hatzoglou did well in the last game but overall their bowling attack has failed to impress. Josh Lalor will need to strike early with the new ball and he is looking short of confidence at the moment. Zak Evans, Prestwidge and Fraser-McGurk were expensive in the last game and the side would need them to bowl tighter spells here to win.

Melbourne Renegades Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (c), Shaun Marsh, Sam Harper (wk), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Beau Webster, Imad Wasim, Jack Prestwidge, Josh Lalor, Zak Evans, Peter Hatzoglou

Melbourne Renegades Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Jack Prestwidge, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, SI Wasim, Shaun Marsh, Jake Fraser McGurk, Zak Evans, Peter Hatzoglou, BJ Webster, Will Sutherland

Hobart Hurricanes Preview

Matthew Wade would be excited after their victory against the Sydney Sixers in the last game. It was a thrilling win for the team as they did well in the final moments to win this one by 7 runs. They must win this game to book a place in the playoffs and taking into account the form Renegades are in at the moment Wade would be confident about a win in this game. 

Wade and D'Arcy Short stitched a 145-run stand in the last game and they shall look to repeat the same magic here. The middle order has failed in the last few games and the side would look for better performances from Ben McDermott, Will Jacks and Dawid Malan. Tim David and Nathan Ellis shall have to contribute down the order which they failed to do in the last game. 

Their bowlers were expensive in the last game and shall need to do well here. Scott Boland and Sandeep Lamichhane did well but other bowlers leaked runs. The side would need better show from Nick Winter and Riley Meredith with the new ball in this game as they leaked runs in the last game. Nathan Ellis who has done well in earlier games shall have to do well here.

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted Playing XI:

Matthew Wade (c), D’Arcy Short, Ben McDermott (wk), Dawid Malan, Will Jacks, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Nick Winter, Scott Boland, Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane

Hobart Hurricanes Actual Playing XI:

Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane, Scott Boland, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Wade, Will Jacks, D'Arcy Short, Nick Winter, Peter Handscomb, Dawid Malan, Ben McDermott

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There are rains on the cards at Melbourne on January 26 and we would be lucky to see a full game here. The pitch is flat and lot of runs would be expected as the bowlers have struggled at this venue this season. The side batting first in this game shall target a score of 170 runs to feel safe

Venue Details

Melbourne is a good venue for batsmen who are willing to stick to the wicket and rotate the strike. The large size of the ground doesn’t allow too many boundary scoring opportunities. Fast bowlers have done well here in the past as there is good bounce and carry on the surface. Spinners also enjoy bowling here as the size of the ground offers them more room to flight the ball.

Toss: To Bat

In the last four games at this venue the side batting first has gone on to win all the games. We have seen some high scoring games where the pitch has been good to bat on early in the innings. The side that wins the toss in this game shouldn’t have any hesitation in batting first here.