FANTASY
Follow UsAfter having faced each other on Tuesday (January 5), Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades are all set to meet once again on Friday (January 8). The Strikers were utterly dominant in the game earlier this week, winning by 60 runs, while it was a seventh consecutive loss for the Renegades.
In matches between the two teams in the Big Bash League, the Strikers have had the advantage, winning nine out of 13 encounters against the Renegades. The Adelaide-based franchise have won each of the last four contests between these sides as well.
BBL HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall: Matches – 13 | Strikers – 9 Wins | Renegades – 4 Wins
Last 5 Matches: Strikers – 4 Wins | Renegades – 1 Win
SUGGESTED TEAMS
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms we come up with six different teams that could fetch crucial points.
GROUND DETAILS & TEAM COMBINATION
In BBL 10, among all stadiums that are hosting matches, the Adelaide Oval has been the least batting-friendly ground so far. In three matches, the run-rate has been just 7.4 with a wicket falling every 18.5 runs and 15 deliveries.
Pacers have accounted for 72.1% of the wickets that have been taken by bowlers in Adelaide during the ongoing edition of the BBL. But with the Renegades not having many top pace options, we were forced to go with only two pacers here. We couldn’t find space for Peter Siddle in our team, but he could be a good option to replace one of the batters or allrounders.
There could be a few interesting match-ups too.
Alex Carey was dismissed by Imad Wasim in Tuesday’s contest between the two sides and it’ll be interesting to see how the Strikers captain tackles the Renegades left-arm spinner here. In T20 cricket, Carey has faced Wasim three times and has been dismissed twice – that is despite having a good batting strike rate of 170.6.
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan have formed a superb spin partnership in T20 cricket over the years. In this match, though, they will be up against each other. When the Renegades are batting, Nabi’s performance against Rashid during the middle overs could be crucial. Nabi has done reasonably well in this contest so far, scoring 67 runs at an average of 33.5 and strike rate of 163.4 in 12 T20 innings.
CAPTAIN SELECTION
Alex Carey has been in good form this season, scoring 216 runs at an average of 36 and strike rate of 118. While that batting strike rate isn’t great, in fantasy cricket, average is much more important and Carey has done well on that front. He could also get you some valuable points with his wicket-keeping – he has already taken nine catches in six matches this season.
X-FACTORS
The Renegades have been heavily dependent on Kane Richardson when it comes to their pace bowling this season. In eight matches, he has taken 11 wickets at a strike rate of 15.7 which is quite impressive. On the other hand, all other Renegades pacers put together have accounted for only 10 dismissals. With conditions in Adelaide having favoured pacers, we’ve gone for him as vice-captain above Rashid.
Rashid Khan is the No.1-ranked bowler in T20Is in the world and he has shown why during BBL 10. In eight matches, the Strikers legspinner has taken 12 wickets at a strike rate of 15.5, but what is even more impressive is his consistency. He has taken at least one wicket in every match that he has featured in this season. He could get you some handy points with the bat at times as well.
Mohammad Nabi is having a mixed BBL campaign, having scored only 78 runs and taken four wickets in six matches so far. But it’s really difficult to ignore a player who has the ability to contribute with both bat and ball. The Strikers have a few left-handed batsmen in their line-up and that could help Nabi, and he did take the wicket of Matt Renshaw on Tuesday.
