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 will host Sydney Thunders in the seventh match of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 7.15 pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Sunday, December 18.
The game will be played in Melbourne at the Docklands Stadium.
Renegades registered a victory in their only game of the season so far, while Thunder have won one and lost one.
Renegades, who have finished at the bottom of the table for the last three years, began on a high as they went past Brisbane Heat by 22 runs in their season opener, with skipper Nic Maddinson scoring 87 off 49 balls.
Thunder, on the other hand, managed to win a close game against Melbourne Stars in their first game. However, they received a humiliating defeat in their second outing as Adelaide Strikers bundled them for just 15 runs - the lowest score in men's T20 cricket.
Renegades beat Thunder on both occasions the sides met last season.
Melbourne Renegades beat Brisbane Heat in their Big Bash opener [Getty Images]
Akeal Hosein was the standout bowler for the Renegades in their opening match against Brisbane Heat. He registered miserly bowling figures of 3 for 15 and dismissed key batsmen in the opposition. Moreover, the left-arm spinner opened the bowling for the Renegades in their first game and it will be interesting to see if he is employed in the same role against Thunder.
Thunder's batting lineup will have a task to overcome the previous embarrassing defeat, which is not going to be easy against a strong Renegades bowling lineup.
Renegades will be hopeful of Hosein continuing his form and the Afghan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman sharing the workload.
Sunny conditions are expected in Melbourne, with temperatures in the low 20s Celsius.
Melbourne Renegades are likely to be unchanged for this clash, thanks to their victory in the first game. Skipper Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper will open the innings, while Aaron Finch will bat in the middle order. They also have the dangerous Andre Russell for three more games before Martin Guptill comes into the squad as a replacement.
The Thunders have a lot to ponder upon, especially with their batting. However, it is unlikely to see any major upheaval on the side after the horrors of the previous games. They may consider adding hard-hitting Ben Cutting to offer them more depth.
Melbourne Renegades: Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Akeal Hosein, Liam Livingstone (withdrawn), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Nic Maddinson (c), Shaun Marsh, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Jack Prestwidge, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Marcus Harris, Andre Russell (replacing Liam Livingstone, first four matches only), Martin Guptill (replacing Liam Livingstone, 10 group matches and finals), Corey Rocchiccioli, Peter Handscomb
Sydney Thunder: Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Rilee Rossouw, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha (c), Tanveer Sangha, David Warner, David Willey (withdrawn), Fazalhaq Farooqi (replacing David Willey, first nine matches only), Ben Cutting, Usman Qadir, Gurinder Sandhu, Sam Whiteman
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Melbourne Renegades: Sam Harper, Nic Maddinson, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser, Jonathan Wells, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes, Rilee Rossouw, Jason Sangha, Daniel Sams, Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Chris Green, Gurinder Sandhu, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brendan Doggett
Sydney Thunder were bowled out for 15 by Adelaide Strikers on Friday [Getty Images]
Melbourne Renegades are available the favourites with the bookmakers, with a best-price 11/13 available, while Sydney Thunders are outsiders and can be backed at 11/10.
With Sydney Thunder low on confidence and form after the debacle at Sydney, Renegades will be the favourites to win this contest in the first game on their home ground. .
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster with prices starting from $23 for adults and $5 for children. Family tickets are available - two kids and two adults for $46.
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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