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
Melbourne Renegades take on Hobart Hurricanes in match 32 of BBL12, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 6.05pm local time (7.05am GMT) on Saturday, January 7.
The game is being played in Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Melbourne Renegades won their first three matches of the season, then lost the next four before stabilising their campaign by beating Melbourne Stars on Tuesday.
Hobart Hurricanes have won three times out of seven thus far, and have gone loss-win throughout. The good news for them, then, is that they were defeated in their most recent outing - by Adelaide Strikers.
With the bat, Aaron Finch has 237 runs at 39.5 this Big Bash season, but he has only been striking at 112.
Hobart's leading batsman is Matthew Wade, with 186 runs and a strike rate above 141. Zak Crawley made a half-century on debut against Adelaide; Ben McDermott and Caleb Jewell also passed fifty in that game.
With the ball, only one player in the Big Bash has more wickets than Tom Rogers's 15 for Melbourne Renegades (thanks in no small part to his 5 for 16 against Melbourne Stars last time out). Mujeeb ur Rahman was critical in the victory over Melbourne Stars last time out, claiming 2 for 7 from four overs to stangle the Stars to 108 for 9 from their 20 overs.
Tom Rogers has 15 wickets in this year's Big Bash [Getty Images]
How do Hobart Hurricanes respond to shipping 230 in a run chase against Adelaide Strikers? They need more from Faheem Ashraf with the ball this time around, after the Pakistani allrounder completely lost his nerve in that defeat on Thursday. Faheem went for 61 runs from 21 legal deliveries in that game.
He has tough opposition to contend with: in particular Martin Guptill and Finch.
And the Renegades' key spin pairing of Mujeeb and Akeal Hosein need to see out their stint in the BBL on a high. Both are departing the competition after this game, which will leave a gaping hole in the Gades' attack. They will be keen to say a happy goodbye, and how the Hobart middle order (including Crawley, who is not known for combatting spin) deal with them will go a long way to defining this game.
A sunny day is expected, with highs of 28 degrees Celsius around the start of play.
Nic Maddison has been sidelined for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury, and has been replaced as Melbourne Renegades captain by Aaron Finch. Another senior player, Shaun Marsh, is missing with a low-grade hamstring strain. Marsh should return before the end of the campaign.
Leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed comes into the Renegades squad in his place, though Marsh's absence opens the door for a return to the starting XI for Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Marcus Harris is named in the matchday squad after being released by the Australia Test setup. Akeal Hosein and Mujeeb ur Rahman play their final match for the Gades this season.
There are no changes to the Hobart Hurricanes squad from the defeat by Adelaide Strikers.
Melbourne Renegades: Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Akeal Hosein, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Nic Maddinson, Shaun Marsh, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Jack Prestwidge, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Marcus Harris, Martin Guptill (replacing Liam Livingstone, 10 group matches and finals), Corey Rocchiccioli, Peter Handscomb
Hobart Hurricanes: Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Shadab Khan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D'Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Billy Stanlake, Paddy Dooley, Chris Tremain, Mac Wright, Zak Crawley (overseas replacement for Shadab Khan), Jimmy Neesham (overseas replacement)
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Melbourne Renegades: Martin Guptill, Sam Harper, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Finch, Jon Wells, Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland, Akeal Hosein, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Hobart Hurricanes: Ben McDermott, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Wade, Zak Crawley, Mitchell Owen, Tim David, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Nathan Ellis, Patrick Dooley, Riley Meredith
Zak Crawley made a fifty on debut for Hobart Hurricanes [Getty Images]
Melbourne Renegades are marginal outsiders with the bookies at a best-price 6/5. Punters can get on Hobart Hurricanes at 4/5 in places.
Melbourne Renegades look good value here, perhaps for the last time this season. They have the momentum of the win over the Stars, with three of their bowlers in fine form.
Yes. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, with kids' entry from $5 and adults $23.
Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and 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.
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