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Heading into the second week of the Big Bash League 2021-22, the teams will be looking to get a move on after an early period of finding the right balance. In the 12th match of the BBL 11, we will have two struggling teams – Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat battle it out in the Metricon Stadium on December 13.
Brisbane Heat are at the bottom of the table, having lost their first two matches of the season. They lost to Sydney Thunder in the first game in 17.1 overs after giving a target of 141. The second was a lot closer as they lost by just six runs against Perth Scorchers.
Chasing the target of 158, the men in teal were bowled out for 151 on the penultimate ball of the innings. Heat failed to gain any Bash Boost point and have a net run-rate of -0.743.
Melbourne Renegades, who received the wooden spoon in the last two successive editions, aren’t looking promising this time around either. They have played two matches and have three points in their bag with one victory while their net run-rate reads -1.175.
The Gades began their campaign on a good note, defeating Adelaide Strikers by two runs in a last-ball thriller. However, in the return fixture against the same opponent, they were hammered by 49 runs as they failed to chase 150.
Key players
Chris Lynn has played in leagues around the globe and has a brilliant record in the shortest format of the game, having scored 5961 runs at an average of 31 and strike rate of 142. He has smashed two hundreds and 39 fifties in this format. Lynn is the top run-scorer in BBL history, with 2826 runs at an excellent 37 average while striking at an outstanding rate of nearly 150. Brisbane Heat will be hoping that their biggest matchwinner fires soon.
Ben Duckett has carved himself an impressive career in the T20 arena. He has a limited range down the ground but extremely good square of the wicket. The left-hand batter has 3104 runs to his name from 131 matches at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 135. He has registered 19 fifties in the format with the highest score of 96. Duckett was very good on his BBL debut, scoring 46 off 35 against Sydney Thunder.
Kane Richardson is an effective bowler in limited-overs cricket, albeit expensive at times. The right arm pacer has a good yorker and excellent change-ups. He has 158 wickets in T20 format at an economy of under 8, including five four-wicket hauls. Richardson is the third-highest leading wicket-taker in the BBL, with 103 wickets at 7.80 rpo. The 30yr old pacer has claimed 15 three-fors. Richardson picked 4 for 32 in the last game against the Strikers and remained a key player for the Gades.
Mackenzie Harvey is a hard-hitting promising youngster from Victoria. The 21yr old is at the beginning of his career, having played only 23 T20s. He has scored 435 runs at an average of 21 and strike rate of 124. In the absence of star players, Havey has looked good in the first game against the Strikers in his 56 off 46 before getting cleaned up by Rashid Khan and scored 19 off 12 before he was run out.
Prediction
Historically, MR have dominated the Heat in the BBL with 10 wins to 5. However, things have been different in recent times, with Brisbane Heat winning three of the last five encounters.
The Renegades have been hit badly with injuries as their two superstars – Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh were ruled out. Their new captain Nic Maddinson also missed the first two games due to red-ball commitments but he could return from this game. The Gades have a really weak and inexperienced batting unit. The bowling attack does look solid with the likes of Kane Richardson, James Pattinson and Reece Topley, along with the spin duo of Mohammad Nabi and Zahir Khan.
Brisbane Heat could receive reinforcements for this fixture with Tom Abell, Mark Steketee, Michael Neser and Mitchell Swepson returning from their red-ball duties. The form of Chris Lynn and Max Bryant is a concern for the team. The bowling attack could look solid if the above-mentioned players get into the XI. Expect the Heat to win if they do get reinforcements. Otherwise, the Renegades start as favourites.
