Big Bash 2022-23 match preview: Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers

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

What's the match?

Melbourne Renegades take on Sydney Sixers in match 21 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 6.30pm local time (7.30am GMT) on Friday, December 30.

Where is the match being played?

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

Who's got the form?

Sydney Sixers are flying. After losing their opening two matches of BBL12, the three-time champions have bounced back in style and are currently on a three-game winning streak.

Melbourne Renegades, by contrast, began the season with three consecutive wins, beating Brisbane Heat (twice) and Sydney Thunder. However, they have since lost back-to-back matches.

When these two sides met on December 28, Sydney Sixers won by 34 runs, with a Josh Philippe half-century and four wickets from Ben Dwarshuis the standout performances.

^{Ben Dwarshuis was a nuisance against the Renegades on Wednesday [Brett Hemmings/Getty Images]}

What's the key match-up?

Melbourne Renegades will hope to perform better against Sydney Sixers' pace department. Dwarshuis picked up 4 for 17 from his four overs, including an impressive 19 dot balls, while Sean Abbott (2 for 17) and Jackson Bird (1 for 10) were equally miserly.

As for the Sixers, if they can remove the explosive Martin Guptill and Nic Maddinson inside the powerplay once again, it will expose the comparatively sedate Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh and should make life a bit easier.

However, it should be noted that Guptill, Marsh and Peter Handscomb were making their first appearances of the season on Wednesday and shouldn't take long to get up to full speed.

What's the weather forecast?

Sunny conditions are expected in Geelong, with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius.

What is the team news?

Ben Dwarshuis is likely to keep his spot in the Sydney Sixers XI after picking up four wickets against the Renegades last time out. Steve O'Keefe hasn't travelled to Geelong due to a hamstring injury, with Todd Murphy likely to take his place once again.

Melbourne Renegades have named an unchanged squad. Peter Handscomb and Martin Guptill both made their Renegades debuts in Wednesday's defeat.

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

Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Izharulhaq Naveed, Chris Jordan, Steve O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Todd Murphy, Mickey Edwards, Jack Edwards, Steve Smith, Josh Kann (local replacement player), Naveen-ul-Haq (partial replacement for Chris Jordan)

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

What are the possible starting XIs?

Melbourne Renegades: Martin Guptill, Nic Maddinson, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Jono Wells, Peter Handscomb, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Sydney Sixers: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Todd Murphy

 Shaun Marsh is back in action for Melbourne Renegades [Brett Hemmings/Getty Images]

What are the odds?

Melbourne Renegades are available at 1/1 while Sydney Sixers are the favourites at 11/13.

What's the prediction?

Sydney Sixers are gathering momentum whereas Melbourne Renegades are going in the opposite direction. Sydney Sixers win.

Are tickets available?

Tickets are available via Ticketek, with tickets starting from $23.

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. This game is available on 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.