Big Bash Tips Matches 33 and 34: Renegades must win to stay alive

• Renegades under pressure

• Doggett back after Ashes

• Stars vulnerable defending

• Strikers set up for fast start

Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades
Monday 12 January, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades Big Bash tips

Melbourne Renegades have Brendan Doggett available again, who was something of a forgotten man of Australia's Ashes win. He provides useful all-round capabilities as he's had a top-bat win in this competition.

Doggett will bolster a new-ball attack which has lost its way a little. Or rather Jason Behrendorff has. Behrendorff cannot buy a wicket it seems with blanks in four of his last five games. It's a bizarre fall from grace from one of the most reliable pacers in the tournament historically.

Thunder are out of play-off contention and are now playing the rile of disruptor. They can effectively end Renegades' hopes, who look likely to have to win their last three to make the top four.

David Warner may be a doubt with a knee injury after he didn't take to the field in defeat by Brisbane Heat. Renegades have been boosted by the return of Adam Zampa.

Tim Seifert is due to return to form for Renegades after he smashed a ton in his first appearance of the season. The wicket at the Showground has been re-laid and is now a road with 190 and 200 busted once and twice respectively this term. Seifert is 11/43.75 for a 50, the same price for top-bat. This takes others out of the equation which might not be a bad thing on a flat one.

Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers 
Tuesday 13 January, 08:15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers Big Bash tips

Stars are bang in the mix for the top two but there are chinks in their armour. They are a chasing team. All of their five wins have come going after a target. All three of their defeats have come hen defending a target.

The bat flip is key, then. There is also a toss bias, which isn't perhaps surprising, at the MCG. In the last 30 there is a 60% bias for the chaser. 

Taking on Stars, then, if they have to bat first is a strong option. There are likely to be a few psychological worries after their sequence of runs and that could play to Strikers' strengths. They have been boosted by Aled Carey's return meaning their front three is loaded to put on pressure in the powerplay. Matt Short and Chris Lynn do not die wondering and Stars could get a panic on early doors.

There may be a case for waiting to play Strikers at the break. The average first-innings score is 161 in the study period and Stars could still go some way past that and be vulnerable. 

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