Big Bash 2021-22 match preview: Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder

Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists

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What's the match?

Melbourne Renegades take on Sydney Thunder in the 2021-22 Big Bash.

When is it taking place?

The game is set for Saturday, January 8. The first ball will be bowled at 6.05pm local time (7.05am GMT).

Where is the match being played?

The game will be held at Marvel Stadium at Docklands.

Who's got the form?

Thunder have consolidated a top-three spot and currently sit third in the standings, with 23 points from their nine matches to date.

Despite all of the Covid upheaval around the competition in recent days, they have managed to maintain a sense of consistency and have won each of their past four matches.

Perth Scorchers, the league leaders, were seen off in a rain-affected match on Thursday, the result following a pair of comfortable wins over Adelaide Strikers on January 2 and New Year's Eve.

They are the form team in the division, but Renegades will know they cannot afford to bow to their opponents' momentum as they chase a place in the knockout stages.

They sit fifth in the table on 15 points, and still have Hobart Hurricanes above them in their sights.

Renegades are the only other team in the league other than Thunder to have won their last two matches - against the league's two most depleted teams, Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars, both by five wickets.

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Muhammad Hasnain returns for Sydney Thunder [Matt Blyth/Getty Images]

What's the key match-up?

Melbourne Renegades' batting line-up has not fired in 2021/22 and if Sydney Thunder get their claws into the top order, the contest could be over quite quickly.

While Saqib Mahmood has now returned to the UK to prepare for England's T20 tour of the Caribbean, Muhammad Hasnain returns to the squad and showed on his Thunder debut against Adelaide Strikers how potent he can be - with three wickets in his first over. 

If Thunder bat first, Melbourne will need their bowling unit to be in miserly mood. The Sydney batsmen have managed more than 170 on each of the past three occasions they have set a target.

The young trio of Matthew Gilkes, Jason Sangha and Ollie Davies have all showed tremendous potential. Sangha in particular has impressed this season, averaging more tha 68 from six innings, at a strike rate above 140.

Sam Billings has returned home, so Gilkes could take the gloves. Baxter Holt is another option. Alex Ross could come into the team.

Melbourne Renegades are without seamer James Pattinson, after he was subbed out of the win over Brisbane Heat.

What's the weather forecast?

Rain is due in the region for most of the morning, but it should clear up for the start of play.

What are the squads for this fixture?

Melbourne Renegades: Nic Maddinson, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Zahir Khan, Joshua Lalor, Shaun Marsh, Jono Merlo, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, James Seymour, Will Sutherland

Sydney Thunder: Chris Green, Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matt Gilkes, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain, Muhammad Hasnain, Sam Whiteman

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James Pattinson is missing for Melbourne Renegades [Morgan Hancock/Getty Images]

What are the possible starting XIs?

Melbourne Renegades: Sam Harper, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Nic Maddinson, Will Sutherland, Mackenzie Harvey, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, Zahir Khan, Zak Evans

Sydney Thunder: Matthew Gilkes, Alex Hales, Jason Sangha, Ben Cutting, Ollie Davies, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Gurinder Sandhu, Mohammad Hasnain

What are the odds?

Sydney Thunder are favourites with most bookmakers, with best odds available via William Hill and Unibet at 8/11. If you back Melbourne Renegades, you can have them as long as 13/10 with Sporting Index.

What's the prediction?

Thunder's form and bowling potential should be too much for Renegades here.

Where can I watch the game?

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

BIG BASH TEAM GUIDES (open in external window in app)

Adelaide Strikers

Brisbane Heat

Hobart Hurricanes

Melbourne Renegades

Melbourne Stars

Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers

Sydney Thunder

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