The Renegades and the Heat kick off their seasons in Geelong, with the Heat, in particular, battling availability issues.
Head to Head
We’ve backed the Renegades to surprise in BBL 15 should get their season off to a winning start at their second home.
While both sides are battling availability issues, the visitors have certainly been hit harder. The Heat are missing Khawaja, Labuschagne and Neser through national duty, while Kuhnemann, Alsop and Johnson are all sidelined through injury. The Renegades are missing Tom Rogers, but have added Behrendorff, Tye and gun Pakistani keeper Mohammad Rizwan to their line-up.
The historically poor Renegades don’t have winning records against many teams, but they do against this opponent, holding a 14-8 head-to-head advantage over the Heat, including four of the last six meetings. The team chasing also holds a 13-9 record in this match-up.
Bowling has historically been Brisbane’s strength, but they look a touch thin here, evidenced by the late signing of BBL journeyman Paddy Dooley. The sides appear reasonably evenly matched with the willow, with the Heat relying on steadier bats like Renshaw and McSweeney, while the Renegades boast extra firepower through Fraser-McGurk and Brown.
The red team should hold the advantage with the rock and run out winners in G-town.
Best Bet
The former Australian opener has a sensational record against the Renegades, clearing 25 runs in seven straight innings. He also arrives in BBL 15 in terrific form, averaging over 70 in the Sheffield Shield this season.
Value Bet
This may be the first and last time we back the wildly inconsistent JFM this season, but he has played well against the Heat recently, smashing a half-century in each of his last two innings against them, including a 95 in the final match of last season.
Same Game Multi
Renegades Win / Renshaw 20+ Runs / Behrendorff 2+ Wickets
