Big Bash 2022-23 match preview: Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash

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What's the match?

Melbourne Renegades take on Brisbane Heat in match 10 of the Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Wednesday, December 21.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played in Geelong at the GMHBA Stadium.

Who's got the form?

Melbourne Renegades are in something approaching uncharted territory. After finishing bottom of the table for the past three seasons, they have started BBL12 with a bang and boast a 100 per cent record from their opening two matches, largely thanks to the top-order runs of Nic Maddinson and Aaron Finch.

Maddinson was particularly effective against Brisbane Heat, scoring 87 runs off 49 balls to help his side to a 22-run victory in Cairns. The Heat lie seventh in the table following that defeat and will looking to get their first points of the season on the board in Geelong.

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Michael Neser returns for Heat (Mike Owen/Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

Xavier Bartlett was taken apart in the first meeting between the two sides, regularly missing his length and offering too much width across his three overs.

Maddinson was the chief beneficiary, milking the right armer for six fours and two maximums from the 12 legal deliveries he faced on his way to a punishing half-century.

Only Matt Short has more runs than the Renegades captain after the opening week of the tournament, with his 126 runs coming at a strike rate of 163.63.

What's the weather forecast?

With highs of 24 degrees and a zero per cent chance of rain, it is expected to be a fine evening in South Geelong.

What is the team news?

Renegades have named an unchanged squad for the clash in Geelong. Shaun Marsh is continuing in his recovery from a calf injury and is likely to return to action within a week.

If selected, Corey Rocchiccioli will make his BBL debut while a first Renegades appearance beckons for David Moody.

Heat have Michael Neser and Matt Renshaw available for the match. While the former was part of the Australia squad that beat South Africa, the latter was attending the birth of his first child.

What are the squads?

Melbourne Renegades: Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Akeal Hosein, Liam Livingstone (withdrawn), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Nic Maddinson (c), Shaun Marsh, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Jack Prestwidge, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Marcus Harris, Andre Russell (replacing Liam Livingstone, first four matches only), Martin Guptill (replacing Liam Livingstone, 10 group matches and finals), Corey Rocchiccioli, Peter Handscomb

Brisbane Heat: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Sam Billings, Max Bryant, Sam Hain, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ross Whiteley, Jack Wildermuth, Spencer Johnson, Will Prestwidge, Josh Brown

*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match

What are the possible starting XIs?

Melbourne Renegades: Sam Harper, Nic Maddinson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Finch, Jono Wells, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Brisbane Heat: Max Bryant, Colin Munro, Sam Billings, Jimmy Peirson, Ross Whiteley, Matt Renshaw, James Bazley, Michael Neser, Mark Steketee, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Swepson

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Nic Maddinson will be eager to continue his fast start (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

What are the odds?

Melbourne Renegades are available at 13/19 while Brisbane Heat are at 11/8.

What's the prediction?

In-form Melbourne Renegades are the favourites but the likely return of Michael Neser to the bowling attack should provide a sterner test.

Are tickets available?

Yes. Tickets are priced between $30 and $55 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.

Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.

Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia while coverage will also be available via streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.


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