Match: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades, (PS vs MR, Match 52, BBL 2022-23)
Date: January 22, 2022 – 1:45 PM IST
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Melbourne Renegades are set to take on Perth Scorchers in match no. 52 of the Big Bash League 2022-23. The two will meet at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, January 22nd. The Scorchers have already qualified for the playoffs while the Renegades need to win one out of the remaining two.
The reigning champions Perth Scorchers have secured the top two finish, with 20 points from 13 matches. They have won 10 matches with a healthy net run-rate of 1.242. Most recently, they hammered Adelaide Strikers by seven wickets.
Lance Morris, David Payne and Peter Hatzoglou snared three wickets each as the visiting side skittled out Adelaide Strikers for just 92. Aaron Hardie then smashed 43 off 30 with Josh Inglis scoring unbeaten 22 off 16 to take his home with 53 balls to spare.
Melbourne Renegades are coming off an eight-wicket defeat against Sydney Thunder and need to get back on the winning track. They have 12 points to their name with two matches to go. The Renegades have claimed six wins and have lost as many games in the season.
Their batting unit failed yet again on Thursday. Will Sutherland provided a late push with an unbeaten 42 off 23 to take the side to 142/9. Corey Rocchiccioli, playing his first ever senior men’s T20, picked 2 for 25 off his four overs but he didn’t have any support.
Pitch Report and Weather Forecast for PS vs MR, Match 52, BBL 2022
The pitches at the Optus Stadium offer significant assistance for the bowlers. New ball seamers get good movement early on. The average first innings score at this venue from 34 T20 matches reads 157. This BBL season, the number stands at 147 with five out of six matches being won by the team batting second.
The weather in Perth is expected to be clear on Sunday evening. The temperature will hover around 24°C during the match time.
Perth Scorchers – Expected XI and Team News
Perth Scorchers have used the rest and rotation policy throughout the season to keep their fast bowlers fresh. Lance Morris, who played the last two games, could be rested for this game along with Andrew Tye.
Probable XI – Cameron Bancroft, Stephen Eskinazi, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Turner (c), Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, David Payne, Matt Kelly, Peter Hatzoglou, Jason Behrendorff
Melbourne Renegades – Expected XI and Team News
Melbourne Renegades brought in off-break bowler Corey Rocchiccioli in the previous game and he was impressive. Fawad Ahmed was expensive and could be left out for seamer David Moody, looking at the Perth conditions.
Probable XI – Martin Guptill, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Critchley, Jonathan Wells, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Fawad Ahmed
Head to head record of PS vs MR
Total Encounters – 17
Perth Scorchers Won – 14
Melbourne Renegades Won – 3
Perth Scorchers lead the last five encounters by 4-1.
Best Captaincy Picks for the PS vs MR match
Aaron Hardie: All-rounder, Perth Scorchers
Aaron Hardie has been in incredible touch for the Scorchers. He has scored 412 runs in 12 innings at an average of 52 and strike rate of 142. Hardie has smashed three fifties and a 43 in the last six innings. With that form, he’s one of the top captaincy picks.
Jason Behrendorff: Bowler, Perth Scorchers
Left arm seamer Jason Behrendorff has been excellent with the ball in this tournament. He has claimed 17 wickets from 11 matches at an economy of just 6.86 with best figures of 3/21. Knowing Perth has assisted new ball bowlers, Behrendorff is a good C/VC option.
Sam Harper: Wicketkeeper Batter, Melbourne Renegades
Sam Harper fell in single digits versus Sydney Thunder but had hammered three fifties in a row before that. Harper scored 89, 63 and 51 in those three innings. He has been in good touch and can be a good C/VC option.
Top Differential Picks
David Payne: Bowler, Perth Scorchers
The English left arm seamer has played only three games in the season, picking five wickets. He’s coming off a superb 3 for 20 in the previous game. David Payne has 160 wickets in the shorter format at a strike rate of 16.1.
Jonathan Wells: Batter, Melbourne Renegades
Jonathan Wells hasn’t been at his best this season, scoring only 211 runs at 19 average with a high score of 44. But he has a good record in T20 cricket with 2985 runs at an average of 33, including 16 fifties. He’s picked by 29% of the MPL teams.
MPL Fantasy XI
Where and what time to watch the match live in India
For those in India, you can watch the Big Bash League on Sony Sports Network. Watch the Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades match on Sony Sports 5 at 1:45 PM IST on Sunday. You can also catch the action live on online streaming platform Sony LIV.
Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.
