Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades, BBL T20 2021, Today Match Prediction 26 December 2021

prs vs mlr Match Prediction & Analysis

Perth Scorchers are playing in their own league this season. 5 victories in 5 games have shown that they are this year's favourites to win the title. On the other hand, Melbourne Renegades haven’t changed from last year and are undoubtedly the weakest team of the BBL 2021. They have registered a single victory so far and are on the verge of getting the Wooden Spoon again. Both teams will now face each other on Boxing Day in Perth. The 21st game of the BBL21  will start from 3:45 pm onwards on 26th December. Perth Scorchers faced Renegades in their last game at Melbourne. Batting first, Scorchers set a target of 206 runs to the hosts. Mitchell Marsh stole the show with his 86 runs off 53 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes. Middle-order batsman Laurie Evans added misery to Renegades’ plate with a quickfire 42 runs at a strike rate of 262.50. Kane Richardson was the only star performer from Renegades’ bowling unit with 3 wickets for 33 runs.

Chasing 206, Renegades lost their opening batter, Mackenzie Harvey, on the second ball. But skipper Nic Maddison and ex-skipper Aaron Finch took control with a partnership of 130 runs in 13 overs. Finch scored 68 runs in 43 deliveries while Maddison got out on 67. It was 1st innings hero Mitchell Marsh who put the full stop to their partnership. The lack of intent and pace from the middle-order broke Renegades’ chance to register their second victory. Perth Scorchers win the game by 20 runs. With the win over Renegades, Scorchers maintained their unbeaten record for this season. They are now leading the points table with 17 points. They now have 4 victories against the Melbourne based franchise in their last five meetings. The current form and recent history of Scorchers make them Bookies favourites to win the game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Perth Scorchers Preview

BBL21 has been a cakewalk for Ashton Turners’ Perth Scorchers so far. They have been unfazed by any opponents who are coming in their way. Cameron Bancroft and Josh Inglis will be trusted to open the innings. Inglis has yet to play his part this season. If Scorchers decides to put Kurtis Patterson over Inglis, Bancroft will be forced to take the gloves behind the wicket. Patterson has 146 runs in 4 games at a strike rate of 165.90 against Inglis who have just 4 runs in three games.

Mitchell Marsh has been simply outstanding for Scorchers. He has 207 runs in 3 matches with a century and a half-century in this season and is placed at third place in the leading run-scorers table. Colin Munro and skipper Ashton Turner will strengthen the middle-order of Scorchers with Laurie Evans. The Scorchers’ bowling unit is one of the most balanced units in the league. Andrew Tye will lead the pace attack with Jason Beherendorff and England international Tymal Mills. Tye is currently the leading wicket-taker of the league with 10 wickets at an economy of 7.72. He will get support from spinner Ashton Agar who also has 8 wickets at an economy of 6.57.

Key Players: Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro, Ashton Agar.

Perth Scorchers Predicted Playing XI:

Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro, Ashton Turner (c), Laurie Evans, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, Tymal Mills

Perth Scorchers Actual Playing XI:

Ashton Turner, Peter Hatzoglou, Colin Munro, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Laurie Evans, Ashton Agar, Tymal Mills, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh

Melbourne Renegades Preview

Renegades have a lot to work on in their natting unit. The middle-order has not been clicking. The bowling unit is underperforming. There are so many problems for Renegades skipper Nic Maddison to address. Mackenzie Harvey and Aaron Finch will take the opening slot for Renegades. Harvey is so far consistent for Renegades but except against Brisbane Heat, he has failed to turn his innings into a big score. Aaron Finch and Nic Maddison will take the front in case Harvey fails. Both have shown a glimpse of their powers against Scorchers in the earlier game by putting up a 130 runs stand. 

Renegades are getting zero contributions from their middle-order. Their stats are so underwhelming that a complete change is necessary. The middle-order has added just 53 runs in 4 games with only one double-figure score. Mohammad Nabi should take the charge as an all-rounder to get a good score on the board. 

Kane Richardson and Zahir Khan have been the only two standout bowlers in the Renegades camp. Richardson has taken 9 wickets at an economy of 7.66. His control over the ball is what others should follow. Afghan wrist spinner Zahir Khan is another prospect in the Renegades bowling unit with 7 wickets and an economy of just over 8. Looks like Reece Topley and James Pattinson should bring their A-game in the next game against the Scorchers to take out Renegades from the slumber.

Key Players: Aaron Finch, Nic Maddison, Andrew Tye

Melbourne Renegades Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Mackenzie Harvey, Nic Maddinson (c), Sam Harper (wk), Jake Fraser, Mohammad Nabi, Will Sutherland, James Pattinson, Kane Richardson, Reece Topley, Zahir Khan

Melbourne Renegades Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, James Pattinson, Jake Fraser McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Sam Harper, Will Sutherland, Nic Maddinson, Jack Prestwidge, Reece Topley, Mohammad Nabi, Zahir Khan

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It will be one of the hottest days predicted by the weather. The temperature will range between 27°C and 43°C with winds blowing at 25kmph to 40kmph. The Perth pitch gives equal opportunities to batters and bowlers. The last few encounters have been very close here including Scorchers’ opening game against the Brisbane Heat which they won by just 6 runs.

Venue Details

The match will be played at the Perth Stadium. The Optus Stadium has a capacity to accommodate 61,266 spectators and has hosted 2 ODIs, 1 T20I, and 23 domestic T20s so far.

Toss: To Bat

Out of the 23 domestic T20s, the team batting first has won 15 times. The stats are favouring the Scorchers team as they have won all their games batting first this season. The team winning the toss should bat first.