Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades Predictions: BBL10 33rd Match Preview

With their recent win over the Melbourne Renegades, the Adelaide Strikers have taken an important step towards ensuring qualification. Four wins and four losses is hardly enough, but with the other teams also experiencing their share of losses, the top 5 is a tight competition right now. If they can win this match and take the Bash Boost point, the Strikers have a good chance to finish in the top two. On the other hand, the Renegades are far away from conversations about the top teams. With only one win to their name, and only 6 games in hand, the Renegades will need some kind of a miracle to make it into the playoffs - especially when you consider just how miserable the majority of their performances have been. This might just be their last chance, and they should at least try to put up a good fight. Before that brawl gets under way, let’s take a look at the brawlers.

Adelaide Strikers predicted XI, preview, form, and key players for this match

Predicted XI: Alex Carey (c/wk), Wes Agar, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald, Harry Conway, Jonathan Wells, Ryan Gibson, Matt Renshaw, Danny Briggs, Rashid Khan, Phil Salt.

It seems that the Strikers are playing their matches on a quid pro quo basis, with losses and wins accompanying each other. This creates an interesting paradox where they are both consistent and inconsistent at the same time. In their last match, they were batting first against the Renegades. Matt Renshaw gave the team a good start with his 35 off 28, but it was Ryan Gibson’s 43 (31) and more importantly Jake Weatherald’s 51 (25) that took their slow start to a solid 171 after 20 overs. When it was their turn to bowl, although the Renegades did well for a while after Conway removed Finch first ball, the Strikers fired back hard and didn’t let any other partnership develop. By the first ball of the 20th over, the Renegades had lost by a convincing 60 runs.

AS Key players

• Matt Renshaw: After his decent opening knock last match, Renshaw will be hungry to prove himself to a greater extent.

• Jonathan Wells: Although he has been hit-or-miss this season, Wells can be superb when in form.

• Wes Agar: The young quick was very good in the previous match, and given that all the variables are the same, he should be solid this time around as well.

• Peter Siddle: Legendary fast bowler Siddle added to his legend last game, and chances are, will repeat the feat this time around.

Melbourne Renegades predicted XI, preview, form, and key players for this match

Predicted XI: Aaron Finch (c), Beau Webster, Mackenzie Harvey, Sam Harper (wk), Josh Lalor, Kane Richardson, Jack Prestwidge, Mohammad Nabi, Rilee Rossouw, Noor Ahmad, Imad Wasim.

Being in the position they’re in, the Renegades must feel like kids grounded at home, watching their friends play from the window. Every other team is in a position of contention, and if that doesn’t inspire them to do something special, nothing will. In the previous match, despite several breakthroughs courtesy of Imad Wasim and Kane Richardson’s two-fors, they just couldn’t keep the Strikers from getting a solid score. On the chase, only Mackenzie Harvey’s 34 and Sam Harper’s 31 stood out, as nobody else was able to cross 11. Eventually, the Renegades were laid flat on their backs at 111. 

MR Key players

• Aaron Finch: The Aussie international has to pull something special out of the bag to pull his team out of this rut. We know he’s capable, and it remains to be seen if he can put that to practice.

• Mackenzie Harvey: After his decent attempt last match, Harvey’s skills will be put to a difficult test in this important match.

• Kane Richardson: Still doing his best to help his team, early strikes by Richardson can tip the game in MR’s favour.

• Josh Lalor: Having disappeared after his Player of the Match award in the very first game, Lalor needs to come back to life to help his team do the same.

AS vs MR weather and pitch conditions

It should start off as a sunny affair at the Adelaide Oval, but the low humidity and nice breeze should keep the players happy. The temperature will fall as the match progresses, making it easier for those in the middle for a while.

Bowlers like Richardson and Agar will be happy to bowl on this pitch, which offers plenty for the skilled quick. However, the batsmen should also find plenty to love about the surface, and if history is taken as a hint, they will want to bat first.

Can the Strikers destroy some more of whatever inkling of it is left in the Renegades’ hearts? Or will those hearts swell up to push their team out of this mess? Find out if our Adelaide Strikers versus Melbourne Renegades predictions come true on Friday!