Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades: The Sydney Thunder face the Melbourne Renegades in the 16th match of the Big Bash League 2024-25. Both teams are in solid form with two wins from three matches. While Sydney Thunder won their last game convincingly, the Renegades bounced back from an opening loss to secure back-to-back victories. This encounter at the Sydney Showground Stadium promises an intriguing contest between two competitive sides.
Match Details
- Match: 16th Match (N), Big Bash League 2024-25
- Date: December 30, 2024
- Time: 1:45 PM IST
- Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium
Pitch Report
- Nature of the Surface:
The Sydney Showground Stadium pitch offers significant assistance to bowlers, particularly pacers with the new ball. Batting is challenging early on but becomes easier as the ball gets older and softer. A par score here is around 150, making this a bowler-friendly venue. - Boundary Dimensions:
- Straight Boundaries: 67 meters and 60 meters
- Square Boundaries: 60 meters on both sides
- Scoring Expectations:
- Average 1st Innings Score: 150 runs
- Average 2nd Innings Score: 111 runs
- Competitive Total: Scores above 160 will be tough to chase.
- Toss Prediction:
Teams might prefer to bowl first to exploit the early bowling-friendly conditions and chase under lights.
Weather Impact
Hot and sunny weather is expected at the start of play, with temperatures hovering around 24°C. Conditions are ideal for uninterrupted cricket.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 35 |
| Batting First Wins | 17 |
| Batting Second Wins | 18 |
| Tie | 0 |
| Highest Score | Brisbane Heat: 203/5 |
| Lowest Score | Sydney Thunder: 15/10 |
| Highest Chase | Sydney Sixers: 164/5 (Dec 21, 2024) |
| Highest Score Defended | Sydney Thunder: 203 |
Scoring Pattern
| Score Range | Matches |
|---|---|
| Below 150 | 14 |
| 150-169 | 12 |
| 170-189 | 7 |
| Above 190 | 2 |
Head-to-Head Record
| Statistic | Sydney Thunder (ST) | Melbourne Renegades (MR) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Matches Played | 7 | 10 |
| Wins | 1 | 10 |
| At Sydney Showground | 3 | 1 |
Team News
Sydney Thunder:
The Thunder come into this match with momentum, having defended 182 against the Melbourne Stars in their previous outing. Sam Billings starred with the bat, scoring a crucial 72, while the bowling unit, led by Daniel Sams and Chris Green, delivered when it mattered. However, the team suffered a setback with Jason Sangha picking up a bicep injury, which might rule him out for this clash. Captain David Warner will rely on experienced players like Oliver Davies and Cameron Bancroft to step up in the batting department, while Daniel Sams remains a key player with both bat and ball.
Melbourne Renegades:
The Renegades have had a frustratingly long break since their last outing, but they come into this game with confidence after back-to-back wins against the Hurricanes and Scorchers. Will Sutherland’s side has shown resilience, and their bowling attack, led by Tom Rogers and Adam Zampa, has been impressive. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Jonathan Wells have been consistent contributors with the bat, and they’ll be crucial in helping the Renegades maintain their winning run. The Renegades will look to hit the ground running despite the extended gap between matches.
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades Playing XI
Sydney Thunder Playing XI:
- Jason Sangha
- David Warner (c)
- Sam Billings (wk)
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Cameron Bancroft
- Oliver Davies
- Daniel Sams
- Nathan McAndrew
- Chris Green
- Lockie Ferguson
- Tanveer Sangha
Melbourne Renegades Playing XI:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Jacob Bethell
- Josh Brown
- Laurie Evans
- Mackenzie Harvey
- Will Sutherland (c)
- Adam Zampa
- Fergus O’Neill
- Tom Rogers
- Kane Richardson
Key Players to Watch
Sydney Thunder:
- Sam Billings: A dependable batter who’s in good form after a match-winning 72.
- Daniel Sams: A key all-rounder capable of turning games with both bat and ball.
- Chris Green: Adds control in the middle overs with his clever variations.
Melbourne Renegades:
- Jonathan Wells: A reliable middle-order batter who averages over 50 this season.
- Tom Rogers: The leading wicket-taker for the Renegades, he is crucial in the death overs.
- Adam Zampa: A world-class spinner capable of exploiting turning tracks.
Squads
Sydney Thunder:
Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft (wk), Sam Billings (wk), Oliver Davies, Lockie Ferguson, Matthew Gilkes (wk), Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Sherfane Rutherford, William Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner.
Melbourne Renegades:
Jacob Bethell, Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Laurie Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Hassan Khan, Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Sutherland, Jonathan Wells, Adam Zampa.
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades Fantasy XI
Batters: Sam Billings (C), Jonathan Wells, Cameron Bancroft
All-rounders: Daniel Sams (VC), Will Sutherland, Sherfane Rutherford
Bowlers: Tom Rogers, Chris Green, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha, Nathan McAndrew
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades Prediction
The Sydney Thunder are riding high on confidence, but the Melbourne Renegades have the firepower to deliver a strong performance after a long layoff. The Thunder’s balanced lineup and recent momentum give them a slight edge, but expect a tightly contested game.
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