Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades, Big Bash League 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 28 Jan 2019

prs vs mlr Match Prediction & Analysis

 The league is entering the closing stages of first round and teams are vying for their spots in the final four. Hobart Hurricanes sit at the top with 16 points and four points clear of the second team. The next four teams are separated by just 2 points and are fighting closely for their playoff spot. Melbourne Renegades would look to win this contest and inch closer to qualification. Captain Aaron Finch returns the squad and is expected to play the remaining season. He played a crucial knock of 54 runs to help his team`s victory. Experienced T20 players Tom Cooper, Cameron White, Mohammed Nabi and Daniel Christian form the core of the middle order. Cameron Boyce opens the batting in the absence of Marcus Harris. Harry Gurney, Kane Richardson and Jack Wildermuth form a formidable pace combination along with Dan Christian`s medium pacers. Mohammed Nabi and Cameron Boyce complete the bowling unit as the spin duo. 

Perth Scorchers are statistically still in contention for the qualification, but it will take a miracle for them to enter the knockouts. They had a forgettable season this year and look to end their season on a high with a few wins. Their batting has been in good stead posting totals in excess of 175 runs consistently. They lost their last two matches after posting totals over 175 runs. Ashton Turner and Cameron Bancroft have been the run scorers in chief for the team. Mitch Marsh and Shaun Marsh return to the mix and further strengths their batting unit. Bowling has been their weaker suite allowing teams to chase down big totals. Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendoff and Nathan Coulter-Nile would look to take wickets at the regular intervals to stem the run flow. They have services of Pakistan`s Usman Qadir and Ashton agar in spin bowling department. They missed the services of their in-form bowler Jhye Richardson who is making right noises in international circuit.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Perth Scorchers Preview

Key Players:

Shaun Marsh – Shaun Marsh carried forward his international form and scored a brilliant 96* last match but he ended up on the losing side. He will expect to repeat his batting from last match.  

Nathan Coulter Nile – After his recent fall out with the national selectors, he needs some strong performances with the ball to showcase his skills and bowling abilities. He would be inching to make his every performance count. 

Missing player: Jhye Richardson

Stats from League:

Ashton Turner – 306 runs at strike rate 131 (HS-60*, 50s-2)

Andrew Tye - 13 wickets at an economy of 8.3 rpo (BB- 4/18)

Perth Scorchers Predicted Playing XI:

Mitch Marsh (C), Shaun Marsh, Cameron Bancroft, Ashton Turner, Hilton Cart, Wright Sam Whiteman (Wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendoff, Mathew Kelly, Ashton Agar

Sam Whiteman and Ashton Agar might return in place of the Nick Hobson and Usman Qadir in the playing XI.

Perth Scorchers Actual Playing XI:

AJ Turner, Hilton Cartwright, U Qadir, Jason Behrendorff, AJ Tye, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Nick Hobson, CT Bancroft, Matthew Kelly, Mitchell Marsh

Melbourne Renegades Preview

Key Players:

Aaron Finch – Finch has found some form with a fifty after a string of low scores in the international circuit. He would look to build on the momentum he gathered in the last match. 

Harry Gurney – Gurney is one of specialist T20 bowlers who possess a deadly Yorker and slower ones. He will look to make use of his variations with the ball. 

Missing player: Marcus Harris

Stats from the league:

 

Simon Harper – 232 runs at strike rate 134 (HS -56*, 50s-1)

Kane Richardson – 18 wickets at an economy of 7.5 rpo (BB – 3/22)- Highest Wicket Taker

Melbourne Renegades Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (C), Cameron Boyce, Tom Cooper, Sam Harper(Wk), Cameron White, Mohammed Nabi, Dan Christian, Jack Wildermuth, Mackenzie Harvey, Harry Gurney, Kane Richardson

Jack Wildermuth may replace Chris Tremain in the playing XI. No other changes are expected in their playing XI.

Melbourne Renegades Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, CP Tremain, Sam Harper, TLW Cooper, Mackenzie Harvey, KW Richardson, CL White, Mohammad Nabi, Harry Gurney, Cameron Boyce, DT Christian

Weather Conditions

The match is scheduled to start at local time 6:15 PM local time. The Perth pitch is known to be flat and provide little aid to the bowlers. Scores in the range of 180-200 runs are expected. Dew Factor may come into play and bowlers may struggle to grip the ball in the second innings.

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

Teams batting second has won all the five matches played here so far this season. Scores of nearly 180 runs has been chased three times and no score is safe here. So both the captains will look to bowl first on this pitch.