The league format is arguably the most interestingly topsy-turvy format for any competition. A team that starts off well could very easily disappear into the lower slots, while others can come back with winning streaks to take the lead. Today’s match saw Hobart Hurricanes give Melbourne Renegades their second defeat while the former gained their own third win. It may not have been a very closely contested match, but there were several points of interest which we’ll discuss in our 5 talking points from Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes.
1. Yet another game of opening failures
At this point, we’re not even surprised, and we’re sort of tired of writing about it. We know it’s not out of the ordinary, but bar one or two innings, opening batsmen have been dreadful at this year’s BBL so far. The openers for the two teams combinedly scored a miserable 14 off 18, with Will Jacks alone scoring 10 of those runs. These openers really need to get their act together, because it’s starting to feel like we’re watching cricket with 9 players on each team.
2. Harper and Rossouw’s comeback, and poor cricket by the rest of the middle order
The Renegades were in deep trouble at 4 for 2 at the end of the second over, but a solid stand between Sam Harper and Rilee Rossouw followed to take the team to a respectable total. Had they not had to steady the inning at a crucial juncture, they might have scored a lot more, and a lot quicker. It’s a pity that neither Mohammad Nabi and Beau Webster could do what they were expected to, or the Renegades would have been able to put up a much better fight.
3. The importance of Scott Boland’s performance
It wasn’t anything like Peter Siddle or Ben Swarshuis, but Scott Boland’s 4-1-19-2 was extremely important for the Hurricanes. By being economical, incisive, and effective, Scott Boland was the perfect bowler for HH today, and such performances can even call for a return to the international side for the bowler. Moreover, no other bowler had anything near Boland’s performance, which points to the fact that the pitch didn’t provide much help.
4. Benjamin Reginald McDermott
Run chases are rarely easy, but some players have it in them to make them look that way. After D’Arcy Short’s departure in the first over, Ben McDermott came in to not only score a commanding 89 from 55, but pretty much single-handedly win the chase for the Hurricanes. For some more context, after his 89, the second-highest score was Tim David’s 21. That’s two games in a row that McDermott has played well, and all eyes will be on him when he comes on to bat in the games to come.
5. What Melbourne Renegades might need to do to change things up
It wasn’t as bad as their loss against Sydney Sixers earlier this week, but it was a second consecutive loss after a promising start which leaves the Renegades with much to think about. Having played only one match in the IPL, Mohammad Nabi will probably need a game or two to get to his full potential. Shaun Marsh needs to do better up top or demote himself down the order, and they need to figure out how to squeeze in another bowling option for added variety.
What’s next for these two teams?
Back on top (at least for the night), Hobart Hurricanes can enjoy a lengthy Christmas break as their next game is at 1:45PM IST on Sunday, December 27, when they play Brisbane Heat at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane.
Melbourne Renegades can also take their time to recuperate and reconfigure before they go up against Sydney Thunder at the Manuka Oval in Canberra at 12:40PM IST on Saturday, December 26.
How our predictions went
The toss prediction was right, but the result prediction was wrong.
As for other speculations, Kane Richardson was tied as top wicket-taker for the Renegades, and that’s about it. Join us tomorrow when we review the BBL match between Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers!
