Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat Prediction

MLR Team News

While Aaron Finch’s brief return from international duty only lasted one game, he was replaced by another Aussie international last time out – Marcus Harris having returned from test duty. Cameron White has been the man to miss out in place of the two. Kane Richardson was initially in the squad for the match at the Gabba but dropped out with a hamstring injury with Joe Mennie making his first appearance of the season in his place.

MLR Key Players

Sam Harper hit an unbeaten half-century as the Renegades beat Brisbane Heat at the Gabba – his first T20 half-century – to back up a solid start to this year’s tournament. He has also hit scores of 36, 28 and 32 among his six innings so far.

Harper’s form meant there was no need for Mohammad Nabi with the bat, but he has made a few decent contributions lower down the order – including his unbeaten 26 in the win against Hobart Hurricanes and an unbeaten 48 against Adelaide Strikers.

Dan Christian is in a similar position – finishing not out on 25 in the win against Hobart, having hit 49 not out against the Strikers in a couple of decent partnerships with Nabi. Both men have contributed with the ball too – Christian taking 3-22 in the opening game against Perth Scorchers.

Kane Richardson is their top wicket-taker so far, with 11 from six matches, despite missing the game against Brisbane Heat with a hamstring injury. Usman Shinwari has eight from seven and a good economy rate of 6.14, while Cameron Boyce has seven and an economy rate of 5.92.

MRL Team Form

Melbourne Renegades have won four and drawn three matches in BBL 2018-19, having set the tone by bowling Perth Scorchers out for 103 in their first game on their way to a four-wicket win – Dan Christian and Kane Richardson sharing six wickets between them. Christian then starred with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 49 and Mohammad Nabi 48 not out in a five-wicket defeat of Adelaide Strikers.

Three consecutive defeats followed, including scoring just 99/9 from their 20 overs in reply to Sydney Sixers’ 132/7 before a seven-wicket loss in the Melbourne derby on New Year’s Day after posting 148/9. Their previous game in Geelong was another low-scoring effort – reaching just 126/9 in reply to 158/6.

Aaron Finch’s brief return ended the poor run – he scored 42 from 39 balls and Nabi and Christian completed the chase as the Renegades reached 150/4 to defeat Hobart Hurricanes by six wickets in the final over. And, last time out, they backed it up at the Gabba. Usman Shinwari (3-16) and Cameron Boyce (2-17) kept things tidy with the ball as Brisbane set a target of 144,and Sam Harper’s maiden T20 half-century led the reply as the Renegades took just 15.4 overs to seal an eight-wicket win.