Aaron Finch (Source: Twitter)
Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat lock horns in an entertaining knockout of the twelfth edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) on a Super Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. The winner of this contest meets Sydney Sixers in the 'Challenger' match on Thursday, February 02 while the loser gets knocked out of the tournament. Perth Scorchers have already reached the summit clash that takes place on Saturday, January 04.
Talking about the form, the Renegades have had a mixed season so far as they have played 14 with seven wins and seven losses. With 14 points and a net run rate of -0.027, they finished in the third position in the table.
Meanwhile, the Heat played 14 and won 6 and lost 7. Their one game ended up with no result. With 13 points and an NRR of -0.483, they ended up in the fifth spot. The Renegades would be confident ahead of this fixture as they have already beaten the Heat twice in this edition. Notably, both teams have won the BBL title once with Melbourne emerging victorious in the 2018/19 season and Heat in the 2012/13 edition.
Before the game kicks off , let us look at the important stats, best player picks and the best predicted teams for the fantasy contests of the match.
Ground Stats: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Four out of the five matches at the venue in this BBL went in favour of the chasing side. Captain winning the toss would look to field first in this all important knockout clash.
Numbers at the ground in BBL 12
Total Matches: 5
Matches won batting first: 1
Matches won batting second: 4
Average score batting first: 159
Average score batting second: 158
Average runs per over: 8.14
Average runs per wicket: 26.48
REN vs HEA, Knockout: Probable Playing XIs
Melbourne Renegades Team News
Seam bowler Kane Richardson will miss the clash due to family reasons.
Melbourne Renegades Probable Playing XI
Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh, Sam Harper (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Critchley, Jonathan Wells, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Corey Rocchiccioli, David Moody/Ruwantha Kellepotha, Fawad Ahmed
Brisbane Heat Team News
Spinner Mitchell Swepson will be out of action as he prepares in a three-day spin camp for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Brisbane Heat Probable Playing XI
Josh Brown, Usman Khawaja (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Sam Hain, Jimmy Peirson (wk), James Bazley, Michael Neser, Matthew Kuhnemann, Spencer Johnson, Mark Steketee
REN vs HEA, Knockout: Top Five Picks
- Aaron Finch (REN): Batting at an unusual position in the middle-order, skipper Aaron Finch still is the highest run-getter for the Renegades in this tournament. The right-handed veteran is leading his side from the front with 4 half-centuries at an average of 41.80.
- Shaun Marsh (REN): Experienced campaigner Shaun Marsh has smashed the second-most 50-plus scores (23) overall in the history of BBL. He has hit just one fifty in 5 outings this season as he looks to add a few more to his tally in a crunch tie.
- Tom Rogers (REN): Bowling all-rounder Tom Rogers is the leading wicket-taker for the Renegades in BBL 12. Such has been his impact that after his 21 scalps, the second-best is Akeal Hosein with 13 wickets. Pciking up an in-form bowler would be a good choice in the all important match.
- Usman Khawaja (HEA): Brisbane Heat captain Usman Khawaja finally played a significant knock for his side with a score of 94 off 55 in the last game. It was just his first fifty in 7 matches this season as he looks to keep it going in this knockout fixture.
- Marnus Labuschagne (HEA): Test specialist Marnus Labuschagne played a solid knock of 73 off just 48 while batting at a crucial no.3 spot in the last encounter. Like his skipper, Labuschagne also has just one half-century in 7 games and would look to add another to take his side into the Challenger clash.
REN vs HEA, Knockout: Must picks for the match
Melbourne Renegades
- Aaron Finch - 418 runs in 14 games
- Shaun Marsh - 149 runs in 5 games
- Tom Rogers - 21 wickets and in 14 games
Brisbane Heat
- Usman Khawaja - 190 runs in 7 matches
- Marnus Labuschagne - 169 runs in 7 matches
- Michael Neser - 22 wickets in 14 matches
REN vs HEA, Knockout: Risky Picks
Melbourne Renegades: Martin Guptill, Sam Harper
Brisbane Heat: Josh Brown, Sam Hain
REN vs HEA, Knockout: Best Captain and Vice-captain choices
1.Aaron Finch (REN)
2.Shaun Marsh (REN)
3.Usman Khawaja (HEA)
REN vs HEA, Knockout: Team for Head-to-Head Contests
Wicketkeeper: Jimmy Peirson
Batters: Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne
All-rounders: Will Sutherland, Michael Neser, James Bazley
Bowlers: Tom Rogers, Fawad Ahmed, Matthew Kuhnemann
Captain: Aaron Finch
Vice-captain: Usman Khawaja
REN: 5 Players, HEA: 6 Players
REN vs HEA, Knockout: Team for Winner takes all Contests
Wicketkeepers: Sam Harper, Jimmy Peirson
Batters: Jonathan Wells, Josh Brown, Sam Hain
All-rounders: Matthew Critchley, Matt Renshaw
Bowlers: Fawad Ahmed, Corey Rocchiccioli, Matthew Kuhnemann, Spencer Johnson
Captain: Joanthan Wells
Vice-captain: Jimmy Peirson
REN: 5 Players, HEA: 6 Players
Also Read: BBL Knockout, Renegades vs Heat: Preview, Key players, Probable XI and Prediction
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