Big Bash 2022/23 match preview: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades

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

What's the match?

Sydney Thunder will host Melbourne Renegades in match 47 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Thursday, January 19.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Who's got the form?

Sydney Thunder's form has abandoned them at just the wrong time. After four straight wins, they have lost their last three to slip outside the playoff places. Their fate is still in their own hands, however, as they sit level on points with Adelaide Strikers above them, but have played one game fewer. This is that match.

Melbourne Renegades have won three of their last four and sit third, but still have work to do to secure their place in the post-season games. Renegades won the earlier fixture between these two teams in December.

With the bat, Ollie Davies is in terrific form for Sydney Thunder. The 22-year-old has made significant contributions in four of his last five innings, including three half-centuries. For Melbourne Renegades, Aaron Finch has 257 runs to top their runscoring charts this season, though those runs have come at a relatively sedate strike rate of 112. 

With the ball, only two bowlers have more BBL12 wickets than Tom Rogers of the Renegades. Rogers has 19, while Thunder's top wicket-takers - Daniel Sams - has 15. 

Ollie Davies has been in good form for Sydney Thunder (Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

Keeping Ollie Davies quiet will go a long way to Melbourne Renegades winning this match. Since the departure of Alex Hales, and with Matthew Gilkes' form lacking, Davies has been the crucial cog in the Thunder batting lineup.

Without him, their run of defeats would have been significantly heavier. He has scored 220 of his team's 750 runs over the past five matches (which includes a duck against Sydney Sixers), equating to very nearly 30 per cent of Thunder's total scores in that period.

David Warner remains an important wicket for the Renegades, too, despite his limited impact since his return to the Big Bash: 19 and 0.

What's the weather forecast?

A gloomy and overcast day should brighten up in time for the start of play but it won't be warm, with temperatures around 17 degrees Celsius.

What is the team news?

David Warner is once again available to Sydney Thunder, for whom Usman Qadir is the only overseas player in the 15-man matchday squad.

Melbourne Renegades have named an unchanged squad. Nic Maddinson and Shaun Marsh continue to miss out through injury. 

What are the squads?

Sydney Thunder: Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner, Ben Cutting, Usman Qadir, Gurinder Sandhu, Sam Whiteman, Joel Davies

Melbourne Renegades: Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Shaun Marsh, 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, Fawad Ahmed (injury replacement for Shaun Marsh), Matt Critchley (overseas replacement from January 9)

*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match

Tom Rogers is Melbourne Renegades' leading wicket-taker (Getty Images)

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sydney Thunder: David Warner, Matthew Gilkes, Ollie Davies, Sam Whiteman, Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Brendan Doggett, Usman Qadir

Melbourne Renegades: Sam Harper, Martin Guptill, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Finch, Jon Wells, Matt Critchley, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Fawad Ahmed

What are the odds?

Sydney Thunder are favourites with the bookmakers, with a best price available of 5/6. Melbourne Renegades are underdogs at 11/10.

What's the prediction?

Sydney Thunder have been over-reliant on Ollie Davies. Melbourne Renegades are still not the most potent with the bat. Time for Thunder to turn their run around, with a major contribution from David Warner.

Are tickets available?

Yes. There are a limited number of seats in the Lower available, with adults $41 and children $21. They can be bought via Ticketek. 

Where can I watch the game?

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 the streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game, while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.