BBL 7, 2nd Semi-Final, Preview: The mighty Strikers take on the Finch-less Renegades

It will be a home game for the Strikers and they will want to keep their 100% record at home intact.

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Thunder v Renegades
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The Renegades. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Adelaide Strikers will lock horns with the Melbourne Renegades in the second semi-final of Big Bash League (BBL) 7 tomorrow (February 2). Both the teams had a decent run in the league stages as the Strikers finished with 7 wins in their 10 games, while the Renegades concluded with 6.

It will be a home game for the Strikers and they will want to keep their 100% record at home intact. They have played on their ground on 4 occasions so far in BBL 7 and have emerged victorious every time. However, the Renegades can take heart from the fact that they have been quite a good travelling team this season. While their performance at home hasn’t been that impressive unlike the Strikers, they lost only one game away from home out of the 5 they played thus far.

Playing Combination

Adelaide Strikers

Travis Head is a part of the Australian T20I squad for the tri-series in New Zealand, but the Cricket Australia has released the Strikers’ skipper to represent his franchise in the crucial game and that has come has a massive boost for the hosts. However, Alex Carey is not available and a new face has been added to the squad in the form of Harry Nielsen. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has been in decent form of late playing for CA XI and the Strikers will expect him to make a mark.

From the bowling point of view, Peter Siddle is back after being rested from the last league game, but Billy Stanlake is not there as he is with the Australian camp where they are preparing for the NZ T20Is. Stanlake has been the premier strike force for the Strikers along with Rashid Khan and his absence will certainly be felt.

Predicted XI: Travis Head (C), Colin Ingram, Harry Nielsen (WK), Jono Dean, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O’Connor, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald

Melbourne Renegades

While the Strikers will have their original skipper leading the side in this key encounter, it’s not the case with the Renegades as they will miss the services of Aaron Finch who is also with the Kangaroo national squad. The Red Army will be led by Cameron White who is another experienced man and has led sides in the Australian domestic circuit before.

Also, the Renegades made a very interesting decision ahead of the semi-final as they left out the chinaman spinner Brad Hogg. Hogg was very effective in the initial parts of the tournament but lost his touch a bit in the last few games and took the axe.

Predicted XI: Cameron White (C), Dwayne Bravo, Tom Cooper, Marcus Harris, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Kieron Pollard, Matt Short, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Jack Wildermuth

Focus will be on

Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers)

The previous game that Travis Head played in the Big Bash, it was also against the Melbourne Renegades and he registered a half century to win the contest for his side. He won’t mind replicating the same tomorrow as his team will look up to him to lead the way with the bat playing at the No. 3 position. The left-hander has had a decent tournament and he will be keen to play the captain’s knock.

Dwayne Bravo (Melbourne Renegades)

Bravo has played a lot of knockout games in various T20 leagues around the world and his big game experience will certainly help the Renegades, especially with the ball. The West Indies all-rounder is as good as anyone when it comes to holding his nerves in the death overs and he will be Cameron White’s man right at the end of the bowling innings.

Head to Head

Total games played – 7| Adelaide Strikers won – 4| Melbourne Renegades won – 3

Timings of the match: 02:10 PM IST

Broadcast Details

TV – SonyESPN

Live streaming – SonyLIV

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