Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades, BBL T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 22 January 2023

prs vs mlr Match Prediction & Analysis

Perth Scorchers will play their final group stage game against the Melbourne Renegades at Perth Stadium on 22nd January from 1:45 pm IST. With 20 points, Scorchers are in first place in the points table. The Scorchers have already made it to the qualifier and will play against the Sydney Sixers. 

The Scorchers had a cakewalk against Adelaide Strikers in their final game. David Payen, Lance Morris, and Peter Hatzogou took three wickets each to wind up the Strikers on 92. In form, top-order batter Aaron Hardie (43) ensured a 7-wicket victory in the 12th over of the game. With the win, Scorchers consolidated their hold on the top spot. 

Melbourne Renegades suffered a massive defeat at the hands of Sydney Thunder. Batting first, the Renegades reached 142 for the loss of 9 wickets after a late hitting from Will Sutherland (42* off 23). The Thunder’s opener Matthew Gilkes scored an unbeaten knock of 74 to ensure his team won the game by 8 wickets. Corey Rocchiccioli was the only successful bowler from the Renegades' side with 2 wickets for 25.

The Renegades hosted Scorchers at Docklands Stadium at noon of the new year. Aaron Finch scored 65 in 48 deliveries to put a target of 156 for the Scorchers. Andrew Tye took 3 wickets for 32 in the first innings. Cameron Bancroft (46) and Josh Inglis (47) helped the Scorchers win the game by five wickets and just two balls to spare. Kane Richardson took 2 wickets for the Renegades.

Though it is the last game for the Scorchers, a win here will boost their morale for the qualifier. On the other hand, the game is important for the Renegades to keep their Knock-out hopes alive.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Perth Scorchers Preview

This will be Scorchers' final game before they head to the Qualifier against the Sydney Sixers. They won’t be making any changes in the playing eleven. Stephen Eskinazi and Cameron Bancroft will open the innings for the Scorchers. All-rounder Aaron Hardie, at number three, has now scored 400+ runs this season at a strike rate of 141.58. Though he hasn’t bowled much this year, he has taken 2 wickets in 6 overs so far. 

Josh Inglis and Ashton Turner in the middle have worked in favor of the Scorchers. While Inglis has the highest strike rate of 152.87, scoring 399 runs, Turner has taken up the role of the anchor scoring 242 runs in 11 innings. Nick Hobson hasn’t clicked well this season for the Scorchers in his new role down the order. Hopefully, he gets a chance in this game to show his potential.

The Scorchers have preferred David Payne and Lance Morris over Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff in the last few games. And it has given them the desired outcomes. Payne has 5 wickets in the last three games and is the most economical bowler with an economy of 6.36. On the other hand, Morris has 9 wickets in the 4 matches played so far. Besides Payne and Morris, Scorchers have the season’s leading wicket-taker Andrew Tye (23), at their service. 

Key Players: Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis, Andrew Tye.

Perth Scorchers Predicted Playing XI:

Stephen Eskinazi, Cameron Bancroft, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Turner (c), Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, David Payne, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou

Perth Scorchers Actual Playing XI:

David Payne, Andrew Tye, Nick Hobson, Jason Behrendorff, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis, Ashton Turner, Matthew Kelly, Peter Hatzoglou, Cooper Connolly, Stephen Eskinazi, Aaron Hardie

Melbourne Renegades Preview

After finishing last in the three seasons, Melbourne Renegades have the chance to qualify for the Knock-out game this year. But they have to win the remaining two games. It is high time for openers Martin Guptil and Jake Fraser-McGurk to click. Guptil has scored 141 runs in 8 games at a strike rate of 108.46. McGurk is having a poor run this season. 40 runs in 6 games are unacceptable. Sam Harper, at number three, will be the Renegades' hope to survive the Scorchers’ scare. Harper has 238 runs in 9 games at a strike rate of 152.56. He has 3 fifties in the last 4 matches.

Aaron Finch has lost his form in the second half of the BBL. The leading run-scorer of the Renegades has scored just 42 runs in the last 4 games. But 279 runs in 12 games can’t be ignored. With three out of the first four batters scoring at a strike rate below 110, the Renegades need to send Will Sutherland at number 5. Sutherland has a strike rate of 154.46 while scoring 173 runs this season - the most amongst the Renegades. He also has taken 7 wickets with the ball.

Tom Rogers will have a tough task in leading the bowling unit. Rogers has 19 wickets in 12 games at an economy of 8.56. He is the third leading wicket-taker of the season. Kane Richardson played a key role in Renegades’ last two wins. He took 4 wickets in these games at an economy of 4.5. If he manages to pull off another performance like this, it will be difficult for Scorchers to end the group stage on a high note.

Key Players: Sam Harper, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland.

Melbourne Renegades Predicted Playing XI:

Martin Guptill, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Critchley, Jonathan Wells, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Fawad Ahmed

Melbourne Renegades Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, David Moody, Martin Guptill, Matt Critchley, Sam Harper, Shaun Marsh, Jonathan Wells, Thomas Rogers, Jack Prestwidge, Corey Rocchiccioli, Will Sutherland

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather will be sunny. The temperature will range between 22 and 31°C. The wind will be flowing from the west at 10-25 kmh. The pitch is considered good for batting in the second innings. For pacers, it offers a high bounce and swings at earlier stages. The wind will help bowlers swing the ball both ways.

Venue Details

The 50th T20 will be held at The Perth Stadium on 22nd January from 1:45 pm IST. The venue holds a capacity of 60000 spectators and has hosted 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 7 T20Is, and 6 BBL games so far. 

Toss: To Bowl

In the 6 BBL games played at The Perth Stadium, the results have favored the team chasing the target 5 times. In fact, the last 5 games are won by the team batting second. The only time the target has been defended by the Perth Scorchers. The team winning the toss should bowl first.