Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers Big Bash Tips: Renegades have the edge

• Richardson boosts Renegades

• Hosts hould triumph

• Harper has H2H form

Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers
Tuesday 24 January, 08:15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Team news

Renegades secure a play-off spot if they win. They are aided in that quest by the return of Kane Richardson, their most important bowler. Shaun Marsh's return against Perth was a bonus.

David Moody, who was banned for beamers after just one legal delivery against Perth, will miss out. Sri Lanka leggie Ruwantha Kellapotha is available. Renegades have lost their last two

Possible XI: Marsh, Guptill, Harper, Finch, Critchley, Wells, Sutherland, Prestwidge, Richardson, Rogers Rocchiccioli

Strikers are in dreadful form, losing their last four. They have to win and hope other results go their way to qualify.

Ben Manenti is out with an ankle injury and Thomas Kelly has been left out. Ryan Gibson has been added to a batting unit which has imploded. It looks as though he will bat at No 3.

Possible XI: Head, Short, Gibson, Carey, Hose, de Grandhomme, Nielsen, Boyce, W Agar, Siddle, Thornton

Pitch report

More than 160 has been busted four times out of five this term at Docklands. Renegades posted 162 against Stars last time out and defended thanks to one of the worst innings ever seen by Nick Larkin. Larkin's knock suggested the surface had slowed up but it could have been purely down his ability under pressure. Strikers have failed to score more than 144 in their last four and were rolled for 92 against Perth. It's an unders play on the par line if they bat first. When these sides last met it was a runfest with Strikers posting 202. Times have changed.

How to play

Renegades are 2.0811/10 with Strikers 1.8910/11. The respective form of both teams is not good so it is understandable that there's little between them. However, surely Renegades should be the shorter-priced team?

Strikers' batting has been so woeful that they will be vulnerable against a Renegades team which has been good in the field. Renegades' batting has hardly excelled but Marsh might be able to help in that area.

Tops value

Marsh has been boosted to 7/2 with Sportsbook for top Renegades bat. Matt Short, who has gone quiet, is upped to 16/5 for Strikers. Sam Harper took a liking to the Strikers attack in the last meeting and is 7/2. Gibson is value on bat order at 15/2 but not necessarily ability.