Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers, BBL T20 2021, Today Match Prediction 11 January 2022

mlr vs sys Match Prediction & Analysis

The Melbourne Renegades would be fighting for survival in the tournament as they take on the Sydney Sixers in the 45th game of the Big Bash League 2021-22. The Renegades come here having been ripped apart in their last game against the Sydney Thunder. The Sixers also come here with a loss after going down in a close contest against the Sixers. 

The Melbourne Renegades have struggled for form since the start of the tournament and have managed only three wins so far. Their batsmen haven’t lived up to the game plan, and this is likely to trouble them here. The Sixers on their part are one win away from a berth in the playoffs and that’s what they would be aiming for.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Melbourne Renegades Preview

Nic Maddinson’s side was thrashed by the Sydney Thunder in the last game as they went down by 129 runs after terrible efforts with the bat and the ball. The side must win this game to keep their hopes alive for the rest of the season. It will be a tough challenge for them given the way Sydney Sixers are playing at the moment.

Sam Harper and Aaron Finch would need to set up a good opening wicket stand after the side got bowled out for 80 runs in the last game. Shaun Marsh, Maddinson, and Mackenzie Harvey make the middle order formidable for the side, but they will have to show consistency which hasn’t been the case. James Seymour has played well down the order and the side would expect him to do well with Will Sutherland. 

Their bowling attack took a thrashing in the last game, and they would have to come out of the setback. Josh Lalor and Zak Evans must bowl better lines with the new ball considering Sixers’ strength. Kane Richardson will have to make use of his variety and bowl well in the middle overs with Zahir Khan, Maddinson, and Sutherland.

Melbourne Renegades Predicted Playing XI:

Nic Maddinson (c), Sam Harper (wk), Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Mackenzie Harvey, James Seymour, Will Sutherland, Kane Richardson, Josh Lalor, Zak Evans, Zahir Khan

Melbourne Renegades Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Zahir Khan, Cameron Boyce, Shaun Marsh, Nic Maddinson, Josh Lalor, Kane Richardson, Sam Harper, Will Sutherland

Sydney Sixers Preview

Moises Henriques missed the last game against the Perth Scorchers, and it cost the side dearly as they went down by 5 wickets. The side has done well and sits third on the points table. A win here would secure a berth for the side in the playoffs and Henriques would be aiming for that and look to exploit Melbourne Renegades’ lack of form this season. 

Josh Phillippe scored runs in the last game and he would look to offer a good start with Daniel Hughes opening the batting. Henriques’ return would add strength to the middle order that has Jack Edwards, and Jordan Silk. Daniel Christian has enjoyed a good run and he would look to add quick runs with Hayden Kerr and Shadab Khan down the order. 

Jackson Bird and Hayden Kerr would look to strike early as the Melbourne Renegades top order has struggled for form in the tournament. Khan brings in his variations to the attack and he would look to bowl better lines than he did against Scorchers. Todd Murphy, Christian, and Ben Dwarshuis make it a well-balanced attack.

Sydney Sixers Predicted Playing XI:

Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Josh Philippe (wk), Jack Edwards, Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Hayden Kerr, Shadab Khan, Ben Dwarshuis, Jackson Bird, Todd Murphy

Sydney Sixers Actual Playing XI:

Hayden Kerr, Jack Edwards, Todd Murphy, Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Ben Dwarshuis, Shadab Khan, Jackson Bird, Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, DT Christian

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Geelong would see overcast skies and there are chances of rains on January 11. This would make batting challenging as the bowlers are likely to get a lot of assistance from the surface. A score of 160 or more would be a fighting total on this surface.

Venue Details

Simonds Stadium, Geelong is a small ground and we have seen batsmen score runs here in the past. Batting is always a pleasure on this surface. Fast bowlers do get some assistance from the surface but spinners have generally struggled on this wicket in the past due to the small size of the ground.

Toss: To Bowl

We have witnessed successful run chases at this venue in the past. The wicket is good here and it allows batsmen to play their strokes freely. Run chases have been easy as setting up targets on a small ground in this format has always posed a challenge. Hence, the side that wins the toss would have little hesitation in opting to bowl first.