Big Bash 2021-22 match preview: Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades

Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the 30th game of BBL11

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What's the match?

Sydney Sixers face Melbourne Renegades in the 30th game of the 2021-22 Big Bash.

When is it taking place?

The game is set for Saturday, January 1. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30pm local time (8.30am GMT).

Where is the match being played?

The game will be held at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium.

Who's got the form?

There can be no guarantees what a fresh year might bring - but we can be assured of how it might start for Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades.

The Sixers have reasserted their dominance as they go in search of a third title in a row, having won their last four to go top of the BBL table.

Brisbane Heat were ousted in their last outing by two wickets, after an inspired display with the ball and then bat by Sean Abbott.

After taking four wickets, Abbott pulled a run-chase from the jaws of defeat to secure a final ball win at the SCG.

Renegades' fortunes could not be more contrasting having claimed just a single win across the whole campaign and lost their last five on the trot.

Their only victory came by two runs over Adelaide Strikers.

Despite only collecting five points from six games their playoff ambitions are far from over but everything points to them picking up the wooden spoon for a third straight campaign.

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Moises Henriques leading from the front (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

It's hard to ignore the form of Moises Henriques, the Sydney Sixers captain, who has already cracked 257 runs at an average of 51.40 in seven matches.

It took every inch of Henriques' tactical nouse to deliver victory over Brisbane Heat and the key to his success is his ability to stay grounded in pressure moments.

“I can’t ever anticipate too much further than the next ball that needs to be bowled,” he said.

“We try and stay pretty much in the moment and try to stay engaged with what’s ahead of us directly rather than plan and be too rigid too far ahead of time.”

Renegades have not been blessed with a plethora of stellar individual performances, with no player having passed 200 runs or got into double-figures for wickets.

They've also now lost Nic Maddinson after his call-up to Australia's Ashes squad.

Mohammad Nabi might yet be handed more responsibility with the ball in his absence, having only been given 10 overs in five matches thus far. The Afghanistan allrounder has gone at 6.80 an over and could get more exposure in those key middle overs after the initial powerplay.

Who are the umpires?

Phil Gillespie and David Taylor are the men in the middle for this one.

What's the weather forecast?

Heavy rain throughout the day is expected to be followed by thunderstorms around Coffs Harbour, meaning a complete washout is more than likely.

What are the squads?

Sydney Sixers: Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird (Lawrence Neil-Smith), Daniel Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Chris Jordan (first five matches), Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon (Nick Winter), Ben Manenti, Stephen O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Shadab Khan

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

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Mohammad Nabi (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Shadab Khan, Lloyd Pope

Melbourne Renegades: Aaron Finch, Mackenzie Harvey, Sam Harper, James Seymour, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mohammad Nabi, Will Sutherland, Jack Prestwidge, Reece Topley, Zahir Khan

What are the odds?

The Sixers are naturally outstanding favourites to prevail, with bookmakers offering odds of 8/15. Renegades are 6/4 with some outlets, though they may change if the match is heavily reduced.

What's the prediction?

It's hard not to see past Sixers maintaining their winning run but if rain intervenes there is good reason to believe there could be an upset. Renegades will be rain-dancing their way into the New Year.

Where can I watch the game?

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)

Adelaide Strikers

Brisbane Heat

Hobart Hurricanes

Melbourne Renegades

Melbourne Stars

Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers

Sydney Thunder

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