WBBL08 match preview: Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat

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 Weber WBBL

What's the match?

Melbourne Renegades take on Brisbane Heat in match 12 of the WBBL; the eighth edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 12pm local time (2am BST) on Friday, October 21.

Where is the match being played?

The Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide is set to stage this match.

Who's got the form?

Brisbane Heat are fourth in the table after three games and Melbourne Renegades are two points behind in fifth with a game in hand.

And the Heat are coming into this game on a high, having beaten Melbourne Renegades by 21 runs earlier this week. Georgia Redmayne has been on flying form, scoring an unbeaten 98 to follow her 33 and 49 in the first two games. Fellow opener Grace Harris made an encouraging return scoring 65 off 50 balls, having missed the previous match with a sore knee. Young talents Georgia Voll and Ellie Johnston have also continued to impress with the bat, making the Heat's top five formidable to any bowling attack.

Amelia Kerr and captain Jess Jonassen are coming in on good bowling form, Kerr in particular has taken big wickets at key moments. The team will be encouraged that all parts of their game have been on form.

Melbourne Renegades bowlers had a tough time in their last match, with only Shabnim Ismail taking a wicket. However, Sophie Molineux will still be confident having finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 23 in her opening game.

Their batting, however, needs some work. They fell well short in their chase of 181 against the Heat and only just made it over the line chasing 128 on Sunday. Hayley Matthews has looked dangerous at times, scoring 22 off 15 and 35 off 19 in her two innings. If she can carry on from the starts she has made, Melbourne's fortunes with the bat could change.

^{Georgia Redmayne has been Brisbane Heat's standout performer [Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images]}

What's the key match-up?

The Renegades had no answers to Redmayne's onslaught with the bat when they met earlier in the tournament and will have to have a plan to bowl to the in-form opener.

Danni Wyatt will be representing the Heat against her former club, having missed the start of the WBBL. She played a few good knocks in an ODI series against India last month but may take some time getting used to Australian conditions. Pooja Vastrakar will come into Brisbane's bowling attack having put in a couple of good performances in the Asia Cup.

It will be interesting to see how the Heat bowlers match up to Renegades opener Matthews. She scored quick powerplay runs in their last encounter and captain Jonassen will be keen to get rid of her early.

What's the weather forecast?

Sunny conditions interspersed with light cloud are expected in Adelaide.

What is the team news?

Harmanpreet Kaur (back) has been ruled out for the season. English batter Eve Jones remains in the squad as an international replacement.

Overseas signings Danni Wyatt and Pooja Vastrakar come in for the Heat while Mikayla Hinkley and Grace Parsons are left out. New Zealand bowler Jess Kerr, a replacement signing, will no longer be available for selection.

^{Hayley Matthews is a dangerous performer for Melbourne Renegades [Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images]}

What are the squads?

Melbourne Renegades: Sophie Molineux, Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Shabnim Ismail, Harmanpreet Kaur (injured, partially replaced by Eve Jones), Carly Leeson, Hayley Matthews, Rhiann O’Donnell, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Georgia Prestwidge, Erica Kershaw

Brisbane Heat: Jess Jonassen, Zoe Cooke (injured, replaced by Lucy Hamilton), Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Amelia Kerr, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll, Pooja Vastrakar, Danni Wyatt, Jess Kerr

What are the possible starting XIs?

Melbourne Renegades: Sophie Molineux (c), Hayley Matthews, Josie Dooley (wk), Eve Jones, Courtney Webb, Erica Kershaw, Carly Leeson, Rhiann O'Donnell, Sarah Coyte, Georgia Prestwidge, Shabnim Ismail

Brisbane Heat: Grace Harris, Georgia Redmayne (wk), Georgia Voll, Amelia Kerr, Danni Wyatt, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Nicola Hancock, Courtney Sippel, Pooja Vastrakar

What are the odds?

The strong favourites for this game are Brisbane Heat at 4/9. The bookies have Melbourne Renegades at 7/4 to win.

What's the prediction?

Brisbane Heat should win this match. Their batting has been on top form this year and adding Wyatt to that lineup only strengthens it further. Given what happened on Tuesday, Brisbane will be expected to win again.

Are tickets available?

Yes. Tickets are priced at $11.70 for adults and $6.49 for children (under 17 years) and can be purchased on INTIX.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports holds the UK rights for the WBBL. This game will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 9am (BST).

In Australia, fans will be able to watch all 59 matches in the WBBL live and free on either the Seven Network or cricket.com.au

A total of 24 games will be televised on free-to-air on Seven and simulcast on Foxtel and Kayo, while the remaining 35 games will be shown on Foxtel and Kayo Sports and also live streamed for free on cricket.com.au.