BBL10 | Match Preview: Rejuvenated Renegades face desperate for points Heat

The Big Bash League is finally reaching a stage where teams can afford no more slip-ups and every match is more important than last all matches. Teams cannot afford to lose while those who have been losing cannot let the same form continue. In such a scenario the Melbourne Renegades, who finally tasted victory after losses would be up for a challenge against the Brisbane Heat, who have had a few things going in their favour off late.

Renegades to play the party poopers

After losing seven games on tarot, the Aaron Finch led Red Machine has been virtually kicked out of the tournament. But it is now that they would become the most dangerous side as they have nothing to lose now. A glimpse of that was seen in their last game against Adelaide where they beat the much-fancied side at its home turf.

In the last game, Mohammad Nabi played a huge role in the Reds’ victory, however, the President wouldn’t be there for this game due to national duties and it is at this moment that the young guns in Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, and Sam Harper need to make the fans believe that they are worth the investment. The departure of Nabi and Noor Ahmed will open up opportunities for the likes of Rilee Russow and Cameron Boyce to come back into the side and help it win a few games.

It is the lack of fear that is going to do the trick for the Renegades and make it dangerous for other sides that are still having the hopes of making it to the Playoffs.

Chris Lynn's Heat need to buckle up

The Heat has lost two close games to let things pass by now. The last game against the Sixers could have easily gone their way had they just kept their patience and held on to few catches. The Heat bowlers are bowling brilliantly and with the edition of Morne Morkel, the lineup would be strengthened even more.

However, it is the batting of the Heart that needs to pick pace and consistency needs to be their word in the dictionary. With Mujeeb not being there extra cushioning would be required for the bowlers and it is now that the huge hitters in skipper Chris Lynn, Lewis Gregory, and stylish pros in the form of Joe Burns and Joe Denly need to up their game and give Heat the much-required boost to keep their hopes of making it to the Playoffs alive.

Heat vs Renegades: Match Details

Match Number- 39

Date & Time- Jan 14, 2021, 1:45:00 PM IST, 08:15 AM GMT, 07:15 pm LOCAL

Venue- Manuka Oval

Broadcast: Sony Six and Sony LIV

Pitch Report

The pitch at Manuka Oval has been great for t20 cricket as it promises all the fireworks as witnessed in today’s game but at the same time, it does not leave the bowlers unsatiated as well, always producing some juice to grip the bowl if they bowl at the right lengths. If today’s game was any indication of how the wicket is going to behave, then as viewers you are in for a tight game of T20 in the capital of Australia.

Weather and Bat Flip

The weather in the last game at the Manuka Oval between Sixers and Thunder did play spoilsport, but it is forecasted that for 14th January, Thursday, the weather is going to remain mostly sunny with clear skies and a maximum of five chances of a drizzle are there. In any case, chasing has been the favoured call of the captains and even though there is some grip in the dry Manuka wicket, chances are that captains winning the toss would choose to bat second.

Heat Strongest XI- Max Bryant, Chris Lynn (c), Joe Denly, Joe Burns, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Lewis Gregory, James Bazley, Jack Wildermuth, Mark Steketee, Morne Morkel, Jack Wood

Renegades Strongest XI- Aaron Finch (c), Mackenzie Harvey, Sam Harper (wk), Beau Webster, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Rilee Rossouw, Imad Wasim, Jack Prestwidge, Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson, Peter Hatzoglou

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BBL 10 | Match Report: Philippe, O’Keefe power Sixers to win over Thunder in rain marred Sydney Derby

Although Josh Phillipee would rue the fact that he got out just when one more run was required to reach the revised Duckworth- Lewis target of 129, but Sixers and it’s fans would be pleased with the way he led the team to the victory at Manuka Oval. Due to rain post the first innings, the target for the sixers was reduced from 167 to 129, which was to be chased in 14 overs. The men in Pink to their credit chased it down with eight balls to spare. With this five-wicket win, they have now got a clear lead at the top of the table getting six points ahead of the second-placed Thunder. Aggressive Philippe took the game away from Thunder Coming down to chase the revised target, the Sixers’ wicket-keeper batsman and dynamite opener decided to get going right from word go as just after setting his eyes with the first few balls in the opening over, he slammed left-arm spinner Jonathan Cook for 23 runs in only the second over of the innings. From there on there was no looking back as he got the Sixers over 50 just in the fourth over, taking the game further away from the Thunder. Though Thunder got wickets in regular intervals, Philippe didn’t stop or slowed down, scoring the fastest fifty of his BBL career, which came in just 24 balls. Alex Ross dropped the match for Thunder The Thunder bowlers after the initial drubbing from Philippe came back well and picked wickets to keep their team in the hunt. When the runs slowed down a bit with Jordan Silk playing a few dots, Philippe decided to take the Power Surge and Daniel Sams was called in by Thunder skipper Callum Ferguson to bowl the all-important over. At this stage, the Sixers required 31 off 24 balls and Sams got Silk out off the very first delivery. Facing the third delivery of the SSurge over, new man Dan Christian hit it in the air and Alex Ross ran behind to cover a good amount of ground but after doing the hard work he dropped the catch and Sixers got the much-needed reprieve. Had the catch been taken another new batsman would have come in and more pressure would have been transferred in the young shoulders of Philippe and then who knows? After all, funnier things have happened in the last few overs of a BBL encounter! Post the dropped catch, Christian smashed 15 from just five balls to seal the game. Steve O'Keefe and the game-changing spell Earlier in the day, Sixers skipper Daniel Hughes won the toss and decided to send in Thunder to bat. Accepting the invitation the Thunder openers, especially Alex Hales leaped on to the opportunity, thrashing the Sixers’ bowlers left, right, and center of the ground. He was so aggressive in the approach that the Men in Green had reached 44 in just 3.3 overs when Usman Khawaja, who was at 2 from 6 balls decided to lift one up in the air and holed out to Christian at mid-off. From there on, the momentum started shifting and Ferguson too got out cheaply for just three runs. Hales was joined by fellow Englishman Sam Billings and the duo tried to provide some stability in the middle. But one over, the 10th of the innings from the experienced left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe changed the complexion of the whole game. He got both Billings and Hles out in the same over, both trying to clear the ropes and both holing out to the men at the fence. Hales made 54 off 33 and got himself on the second spot among highest run-scorers in BBL 10 while Billings made 15 off 15. In his very next over and last one of the spells, O’Keefe also got Ross out LBW and finished his spell at 3/15 in four overs. Daniel Sams to the rescue After the middle order collapse, two all-rounders in Sams and Ben Cutting tried to rebuild the innings and built a 27 runs partnership, before Cutting was caught brilliantly by Philippe of Jake Ball. Post his wicket Sams got into an aggressive mindset and along with Nathan McAndrew scored 44 runs in 23 balls. The 28-year-old hit a four on the last ball of the last over to reach his fifty and took the team total to 166/6. This was Sam’s second fifty of the tournament and incidentally, both have come at Manuka Oval only. What's Next? The Sixers will now face Perth Scorchers in another heavyweight clash at the same venue on 16th January while Thunder will take on Hurricanes who can’t afford to lose any more games. That match will also be played at Manuka Oval only on 18th January.

Daily Round up | Jan 13: Langer blames IPL, Vihari silences critics

Sri Lanka have announced the squad for the Test series against England at home while Justin Langer has blamed IPL for the injury concerns for both India and Australia. Here’s a look at the latest updates from the cricketing world. Justin Langer blames IPL Australia coach Justin Langer has said that the timing of the IPL 2020 has been a reason behind the players’ injuries. India have suffered a huge blow after the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Hanuma Vihari have been ruled out of the deciding Test against Australia slated to take place in Brisbane from Thursday. “It is really interesting how many injuries (it) has been throughout this summer. I can’t help and think that the IPL this year (2020)...probably wasn’t (having) ideal timing for anyone, certainly for such a big series like this,” Langer said at a virtual press conference. Earlier, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav were ruled out after sustaining individual injuries. Sri Lanka announces squad for England series The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has announced the squad for the two-match Test series against England at home. Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep have been included in the team. Mathews was a part of the Sri Lankan squad but had to withdraw his name after he suffered a hamstring injury in a domestic T20 competition. The two-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka begins on Thursday. Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Asitha Fernando, Roshen Silva, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Ramesh Mendis Ben Dunk leaves Melbourne Stars mid-way The BBL franchise Melbourne Stars has decided to part ways from Ben Dunk. "My time with the Stars has come to an end and it's time for me to focus on other playing opportunities around the world," Dunk shared on social media today. It's been a great journey and there are so many people to thank. Marcus Harris to open Australia head coach Justin Langer has said that if Will Pucovski isn’t fully fit then Marcus Harris is going to open the innings with David Warner in Brisbane. Pucovski has dislocated his shoulder only partially earlier. "Will had a sore shoulder before he fell, he was actually going to have a scan after that day's play anyway, just to see what was happening," Langer was quoted as saying during a virtual press conference. Hanuma Vihari’s witty response to critics India batsman Hanuma Vihari came up with a witty reply to singer Babu Supriyo’s tweet. Supriyo in a tweet wrote, “Playing 109 balls to score 7 !That is atrocious to say the least•Hanuma Bihari has not only killed any Chance for India to achieve a historic win but has also murdered Cricket.. not keeping win an option, even if remotely, is criminal. PS: I know that I know nothing abt cricket.” Vihari later reacted on the tweet and corrected Supriyo for the spelling error that he made in his name. “*Hanuma Vihari,” replied the Indian batsman.

Ricky Ponting says sending Rishabh Pant up the order was a master-stroke

Former Australia skipper and one of the greatest batsman to have graced the game, Ricky Ponting showered praises on the decision to send Rishabh Pant up the order during the final day of the 3rd Test and it was Pant’s stunning counter-attacking knock of 97 which gave India a glimmer of hope of registering a historic victory. "Very good proactive captaincy or coaching for sending Rishabh up. For India to stay in with a chance to win, they needed to do that. He had a little bit of luck with Paine putting him down a couple of times," Ponting said. It's not all crash and bangs with him, there is a lot of skill involved, and he is proper test match batsman to the point today where a lot of the commentators were saying can he play as a batsman in the middle order and have Saha keep." Ponting is the head coach of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and has seen Pant from very close quarters. He was impressed with Pant’s performance and said that consistent performance like this will help the southpaw cement his place in the longest format for several years to come. “It was a masterstroke to put him up there, but he still got to play that innings, and he did it. He does it in his own way; he does it with a bit of swagger and confidence," Ponting added. "Taking on Lyon like he did, even with fielders out says he backs himself and his skillset. I said at the start of the series that there is a chance for him to cement himself as India's keeper-batsman for the next 10-12 years and innings like today will go a long way in helping that." India needed in excess of 300 on the final day of the Test match with 8 wickets in hand. Captain Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed in the 2nd over of the day and in place of Vihari, Pant came out to take guard at No 5. He was patient for the first 30 deliveries but launched a stupendous all-out attack on the Australian bowlers which put some serious pressure on them. He took on Lyon with utter disdain and slammed him for 3 huge sixes even challenging the long-on fielder. His 150 odd partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara totally changed the complexion of the game. His counter-attacking knock was studded with 12 fours and 3 sixes and gave India a serious chance of chasing this humungous target down. Eventually, Vihari and Ashwin defied all the odds and battled the final session to eke out a historic draw for the visitors.

Marcus Harris likely to open if Pucovski doesn't get fit in time says Langer

Australian head coach Justin Langer has stated that southpaw Marcus Harris could potentially replace Will Pucovski for the 4th and the final Test against India in Brisbane if the latter fails to recover in time. Pucovski has dislocated his shoulder only partially and an Australian spokesperson yesterday revealed that they will take a call on the opener before the match day. Pucovski who made his Test debut in Sydney sustained the injury during the 3rd Test while diving on the field. With the 4th Test slated to start on 15th January, it looks unlikely that Pucovski will be fit for the final Test but he is a young guy and the final call will be taken later. "Will had a sore shoulder before he fell, he was actually going to have a scan after that day's play anyway, just to see what was happening," Langer was quoted as saying during a virtual press conference. "We will see how he pulls up today, we are really hopeful that he will get up and if he doesn't, then the obvious thing would be Marcus Harris would come in as an opener," he added. Despite Pucovski being a doubtful starter for the final Test, Langer one of the prolific Test openers of his time is still optimistic about Pucovski’s availability for the final Test. "Will is a young guy, he has just played his first Test. So mentally he's going to be exhausted anyway. We will keep an eye on how he pulls up today. With shoulders, as long as he can bat OK and catch, it's not as big a deal in Test cricket, we're really hopeful he will get up, we will probably know by tonight," Langer added. An impressive young batsman, Pucovski has a history of suffering concussions and he has already been concussed for 9 times in his career so far. He has some clear problems while facing the short ball and after getting hit several times it has become more of a mental setback for the youngster. However, he looked in good shape during the 3rd Test against India and went onto score his maiden Test half-century. He was dropped twice and was troubled by the short deliveries but he still managed to fight through that situation and scored a pleasant half-century.