Match Preview: Renegades seek to regain poise against Hurricanes

Akshay Saraswat


Both Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades are coming off a loss in their previous game. For Hurricanes, the loss came after two good victories so isn't that big an issue presently. However, the Renegades suffered a humiliating defeat in their match against Sydney Sixers, going down by a massive 145 runs. 

Conceding 205 runs in T20 game isn't such a big setback in the current T20 cricket scenario. But getting bowled out for 60 must have shattered the morale of the Renegades unit. But T20 cricket is also very fickle and it wouldn't take an upset for the same team to bounce back.

Hurricanes Look to Regain Winning Ways

Despite their loss to Adelaide Strikers in the last game, there is no reason for Hobart to panic. Their batting line-up is in good shape with most of the key players showing good form. 

Openers D'Arcy Short and Will Jacks form a good opening pair with the former already having a fifty under his belt. The rest of the batting line-up is also able to get good starts. The foreign player that they have acquired - Colin Munro - has shown that he is a valuable import. The Kiwi batsman's hitting ability is well known but the question has always been about his consistency. His batting so far in the season has been good. 

The problem is currently with their captain Peter Handscomb's returns so far. He is supposed to play the role of a pivot in the innings. That hasn't happened yet. Lower-order batsman Tim David scored a fifty which adds some strength to that section of the line-up. 

Macalister Wright has also been sub-par while Ben McDermott's knock in the last match has given another batting option for the top order. 

The bowling also looks in reasonably good shape. James Faulkner has been brilliant. Some support has been there but not consistent enough from other bowlers. Scott Boland had a good spell in the last game. But the disappointment so far has been Nathan Ellis. After his brilliant efforts last season, more was expected of him. It's possible that Keemo Paul may replace him for the upcoming game. 

Renegades Need Morale-Booster

When you get bowled out for 60, it must be a very bitter experience. But Renegades have the batting firepower to get over this setback. They possess, possibly, the best opening combination in the league - Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch. However, Finch would be missing this match. So, Marsh won't just have to lead the side but also take the burden of being the main batsman.  In the absence of Finch, Brody Couch, brought in initially as a replacement for Marcus Harris, may open the innings. 

The rest of the batting line-up is less high-profile. South African Rilee Rossouw should add some strength to the middle order. Wicketkeeper Sam Harper has been asked to bat at the no. 3 spot. Since not much has come out of this move, there may be a reshuffle on the cards.

The biggest news for Renegades is the entry of Mohammad Nabi into the squad. He is a very useful player who can contribute with both bat and ball. Noor Ahmed is another Afghan import, just 15. Whether he gets a go or not is unknown. 

Kane Richardson is the leader of the pace attack in normal conditions and he has Josh Lalor for support. Tall leggie Peter Hatzoglou is the one to watch out for. As is often the case with leg-spinners, he can go for runs but he will also bring wickets. 

The team has a more regular spin bowling option in the form of Jon Holland but the team management seems to have picked Hatzoglou as their main weapon. 

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades: Match Details

Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Date and Time: December 19, 5:40 AM IST, 11:10 AM Local, 12:10 AM GMT

Broadcaster: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV

Pitch Report

Two venues in Tasmania have been used in this season - Launceston and Hobart. Strangely, the two grounds have produced contrasting contests. At Launceston, the bowlers have found conditions very favourable while at Hobart, the batsmen have made merry. Not much is expected to be different for this match. A flat pitch with minimal help for bowlers is expected. 

Weather and Toss

The skies are likely to be cloudy for this match. Usually such conditions in Hobart mean help for seamers. This may tempt the captain winning the toss to bowl first. 

Probable XIs

Hobart Hurricanes: D'Arcy Short, Will Jacks, Ben McDermott (Wk), Peter Handscomb (C), Colin Ingram, Macalister Wright, Tim David, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Scott Boland, Keemo Paul

Melbourne Renegades: Shaun Marsh (C), Brody Couch, Sam Harper (Wk), Rilee Rossouw, Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Benny Howell, Kane Richardson, Josh Lalor, Peter Hatzoglou, Will Sutherland


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