Match: Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers
Date: 29 December, Thursday
Time: 4:10pm SGT/1:40pm IST/8:10am GMT
Competition: Big Bash League 2016/17
Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
TV Channel: In Singapore, Star Cricket will provide live TV coverage of the match.
Live streaming: Hotstar
Overview
Melbourne Renegades head into their second successive home game of the season after notching up an impressive victory against the Sydney Thunder in their tournament opener last Thursday.
Captain Aaron Finch led from the front with the bat (37-ball 63) as the Renegades raced to 179 in 20 overs. Callum Ferguson (32-ball 38) and Twenty20 specialist Dwayne Bravo (16-ball 24) chipped in as well.
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Renegades' bowling department looks complete and it did the job against the Thunder while defending 180. T20 experts Sunil Narine, Brad Hogg and Bravo were all at their best, picking two wickets each, as they bowled Thunder out for 130. Despite the absence of Peter Siddle and James Pattinson due to injuries, the Melbourne-based team are looking threatening with the ball.
Cameroon White and Peter Nevill failed with the bat last Thursday but both of them will be hoping for a good show at home. Renegades have the cushion of having world class T20 bowlers that they can afford to post competitive totals and get away with it.
On the other hand, Perth Scorchers, who opened their campaign with a 48-run win over Adelaide Strikers, succumbed to defeat in their second game against Sixers on Tuesday. Ian Bell continued his good form while Mitchell Marsh chipped in with an important 31 as Scorchers posted only 130.
With the absence of Mitchell Johnson, who was rested for the game, Sixers were rarely troubled in their pursuit of the target. Andrew Tye picked up three wickets but he was the only one to impress in the Scorchers attack.
Johnson is likely to return for Thursday's game and his combination with Tye and Marsh will be crucial for the Scorchers. Shaun Marsh should get going at the top of the order to release a bit of pressure that is building on Bell's shoulders. The visitors will be well served if they preserve wickets and play sensibly against the in-form Renegades attack.
TV Schedule
Singapore: Star Cricket
India: Star Sports
US: Willow TV
UK: Sky Sports 2
Australia: Network 10
South Africa: Supersport
Team News
Renegades
Squad: Finch (c), Bravo, Ferguson, Cooper, White, Harris, Hogg, Narine, Nevill (wk), Rimmington, Tremain, Short, Doherty
Scorchers
Squad: Voges (c), S Marsh, Bancroft, Bell, Whiteman (wk), Klinger, M Marsh, Johnson, Agar, Richardson, Turner, Valente, Tye, Willey
