Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the first game of the new BBL campaign
Melbourne Renegades take on Adelaide Strikers in the third game of the 2021-22 Big Bash season, the 11th BBL campaign in all.
The game is scheduled for a 7.15pm local time start. That's 8.15am GMT.
The game will be held at the Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.
Well, not Melbourne Renegades, you'd have to say, though you'd fancy them in this one. They finished bottom last time around and have responded by appointing David Saker for a second stint in charge, while Aaron Finch has handed the captaincy to his new teammate, Nic Maddinson, who joins from cross-city rivals Melbourne Stars, who perhaps could have done with him themselves on Sunday. He is unavailable for his debut, however, so Kane Richardson will take the reins.
Reece Topley is a clever signing: the Englishman provides pace, bounce, significant height and a left-arm option. Mohammad Nabi, too, is a tried and tested veteran of the franchise circuit. He has become a regular Renegade in recent years. Their other overseas options are more intriguing, though: Zahir Khan is with his third Big Bash side, with left-arm wrist-spinners seemingly in vogue across the competition. And in Unmukt Chand, Melbourne have signed a history-maker: the first Indian to play in the men's tournament, though he won't be involved in the opener.
Adelaide Strikers are a more settled unit, you'd have to say, but they will be without Alex Carey and Travis Head, which will leave an enormous hole in their batting. With Phil Salt not returning and not properly replaced either, that side of their game looks wafer-thin.
George Garton is the latest beneficiary of the tie-up between Strikers and Sussex, forged through the Jason Gillespie link. Rashid Khan is back once again and, as wherever he goes, remains the key. Peter Siddle is the captain.
Rashid Khan remains the key for Adelaide Strikers (Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Aaron Finch hasn't had a great time of it with the bat in recent times, but having won the T20 World Cup as skipper and then relinquished the captaincy of Melbourne Renegades, it would be no surprise were a combination of that euphoria and his lessening burden to result in a stellar season for the veteran opener.
How he fares here, though, might just have something to do with Rashid Khan. The Afghan is the best of the best, and his uber-aggressive batting might just come in handy for a team desperately short in that department, given the absences of Travis Head and Alex Carey.
Otherwise, it will be fascinating to watch Mackenzie Harvey and Jake Fraser-McGurk in action together; the Renegades pair are two of the more exciting youngsters in the Australian game.
Phil Gillespie and Michael Graham-Smith will be the standing umpires for this one.
Temperatures hovering around 16 degrees during this one, though with a decent chance of showers.
Melbourne Renegades: Cameron Boyce, Unmukt Chand, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Zahir Khan, Josh Lalor, Nic Maddinson (Jono Merlo), Shaun Marsh (James Seymour), Mohammad Nabi, James Pattinson, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Reece Topley
Adelaide Strikers: Wes Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, George Garton, Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Spencer Johnson, Rashid Khan, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Daniel Worrall
Aaron Finch has handed over the Renegades captaincy (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Melbourne Renegades: Aaron Finch, Sam Harper, James Seymour, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Mohammad Nabi, James Pattinson, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Reece Topley, Josh Lalor
Adelaide Strikers: Harry Nielsen, Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Ryan Gibson, Jonathan Wells, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Fawad Ahmed, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle
Adelaide Strikers are a best priced 4/6 with William Hill to win their opener, with Melbourne Renegades available at 6/5.
It's not easy to see where Adelaide Strikers' runs are going to come from in the absence of their Australia Test pair. Melbourne Renegades - with Finch reinvigorated - will fancy their chances.
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)
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.