Deadline: December 29, 2019 at 1:40 PM IST
Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Pitch report
The pitch at the Dockland Stadium has a reputation of producing even contest between bat and ball. Make sure you add as many all-rounders in your fantasy team as you can.
Probable XIs
Renegades: Sam Harper (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Shaun Marsh, Marcus Harris, Beau Webster, Daniel Christian, Tom Cooper, Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson, Richard Gleeson, Harry Gurney
Strikers: Philip Salt, Jake Weatherald, Matthew Short, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jonathan Wells, Rashid Khan, Cameron White, Cameron Valente, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Billy Stanlake
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Match prediction
The Renegades, the defending champions, are struggling at the bottom of the table with three consecutive losses. The Strikers, on the other hand, are at the second spot with 2 wins and an abandoned match.
Going by the recent form, the Strikers have an upper hand. The top three run-scorers of the season belong to them, and they have successfully defended targets on a flat pitch. Meanwhile, the Renegades have succumbed to pressure, and have often been indecisive at crucial phases.
Players to watch out for
Jonathan Wells has played two match-defining innings: 55* against Thunder and 68* against Stars. On both occasions, the top order failed to continue the momentum and Wells came to their rescue. He is a smart cricketer: he does not deal in sixes but likes to manoeuvre the gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking. To make things interesting, he is yet to be dismissed in this season.
With 146 runs, Jake Weatherald is at the top of the batting chart. His 146 runs have come at 48.6. The highlight of his batting was five consecutive fours against Dale Steyn.
Alex Carey, without an iota of doubt, has been the most attractive batsman thus far. His six over the off-side boundary is a delight to watch. He has scored a run fewer than Weatherald.
Only 8% players had picked Peter Siddle in the last match. His figures of 3 for 24 spelled doom for those who ignored him in their fantasy teams, especially when he took 2 wickets in the last over. Shane Watson’s rank improved from 6,000 to 2,854.
Rashid Khan took the all-important wicket of Peter Handscomb at a critical phase. In fact, it was his three-for that helped the Strikers register their first victory of the season.
Shaun Marsh has been the wrecker-in-chief for the Renegades, smashing 134 runs at 44 including a fifty. The other half-centurion for the Renegades are Beau Webster and Aaron Finch.
Kane Richardson has been difficult to pick, proving time and again that he is one of the finest T20 bowlers. He has taken 4 wickets, maintaining an economy of under 6 RPO.
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.