Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the sixth game of the new BBL campaign
Adelaide Strikers play Melbourne Renegades in the sixth game of the 2021-22 Big Bash.
The game is set for Thursday, December 9. The first ball will be bowled at 6.45pm local time (8.15am GMT).
The game will be held at the Adelaide Oval.
The Renegades have already defeated the Strikers in the only game either side has played so far, prevailing by two runs.
With nine needed off the final over, James Pattinson conceded only six to earn the Renegades a thrilling victory at the MCG.
Though there were no outstanding individual displays, there were promising performances on both sides. The Strikers’ George Garton took 2 for 23 on his BBL debut, while Renegades opener Mackenzie Harvey hit an impressive 56 and team-mate Zahir Khan took 3 for 24.
Melbourne’s victory came without World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch, who was sidelined with a knee injury and is likely to miss out in the rematch. He was replaced as Renegades captain this season by Nic Maddinson but he is away with Australia A, so Kane Richardson should continue as stand-in captain.
The Renegades’ Marcus Harris and Strikers duo Alex Carey and Travis Head are busy with Ashes commitments but there is international pedigree on both sides. Adelaide are captained by Peter Siddle and boast world-class leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who will face-off against Afghanistan team-mate Mohammad Nabi.
Rashid Khan is ready to be let loose by the Strikers (Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
While far from a poor performance, Rashid finished the opening game with conspicuously average figures of 1 for 30 from four overs. He usually feasts against the Renegades, taking a combined 10 for 110 in his previous six games against them, at a miserly economy rate of 4.58.
Conventional wisdom suggests that normal service will resume and Rashid will bamboozle the Renegades batters, a sight always worth tuning in for. Alternatively, if Melbourne play Rashid well again, it might show that they are ready to return to contention after two consecutive bottom-placed finishes.
Elsewhere, it will be intriguing to see how Englishman Reece Topley, No.488 in the men's T20 Player Index, responds after going at nearly 11 per over against the Strikers. The Renegades’ left-arm seamer struggled particularly against Matt Short, who casually flicked him for six on two occasions.
Michael Graham-Smith and Ben Treloar will be making the decisions for this one.
Cool conditions are expected, with the temperature at the start of the match an estimated 18 degrees, and it could drop to 15 degrees by the game’s conclusion. Rain is highly unlikely.
Adelaide Strikers: Wes Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, George Garton, Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Spencer Johnson, Rashid Khan, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Daniel Worrall
Melbourne Renegades: Cameron Boyce, Unmukt Chand, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Zahir Khan, Josh Lalor, Nic Maddinson (Jono Merlo), Shaun Marsh (James Seymour), Mohammad Nabi, James Pattinson, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Reece Topley
Reece Topley (Quinn Owen/Getty Images)
Adelaide Strikers: Jake Weatherald, Matt Short, Harry Nielsen, Jonathan Wells, Ryan Gibson, Daniel Drew, George Garton, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle
Melbourne Renegades: Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Jake Fraser-McGurk, James Seymour, Jonathan Merlo, Mohammad Nabi, Will Sutherland, James Pattinson, Kane Richardson, Reece Topley, Zahir Khan
Adelaide Strikers are favourites at 8/11, with Melbourne Renegades available at 11/10.
With Finch unlikely to feature and Adelaide surely desperate to gain revenge in front of their home crowd, the Strikers should edge another close contest.
Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games in the UK.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament for UK listeners.
Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?
North America: Willow
MENA: beIN Sports
Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Indian Subcontinent: Sony
New Zealand: Sky Sport
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