Melbourne Renegades take on Brisbane Heat in the 24th game of Big Bash League 2011-12 on January 12. The match will be played at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.
Heat are the only team in the competition with two points from their five games and are almost out of the tournament. The only mathematical possibility that remains will need Heat to defeat Melbourne by probably 100 runs or thereabouts and then hope for some other results to go their way.
The Renegades, on the contrary, are still with a chance but need to win both their remaining games – including this one against Heat. That will take them to eight points and with two other teams with an equal chance of getting to the same number, it should be a photo-finish for the semi-final berth.
The good news for Heat is that after four successive losses in the tournament, they registered their first win last game. What made the win taste better was that it was against table-toppers Hobart Hurricanes, who failed to chase down 202 for the win.
At one stage it looked like the match was slipping away from them but Alister McDermott and Roelof van der Merwe contained the Hurricanes batsmen well in the end.
Earlier, Matthew Hayden had registered his maiden Big Bash League half-century to propel his side to 201/4 in their 20 overs. Andrew Robinson, who was moved to open the innings only a game before this one, made 44.
Renegades were unfortunate in their loss to the Stars given that it was a rain-affected match. They looked confidence going into that Melbourne derby, having won two games in a row after their two initial losses but the inclement weather spoilt the show for them.
Needing 168 for a win, that derby was on course for a photo-finish at 57/2 in seven overs before Shane Warne eked out Glenn Maxwell. A ball later, the heavens opened and the match had to be called off with Stars just ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis method.
It was another excellent game for Shahid Afridi, the bowler, who ended his four overs with figures of 2/20. Shane Harwood supported him well but Shaun Tait continues to be expensive and the management may seriously think of giving him a break.
Daniel Vettori and Roelof van der Merwe will lead the attack for Heat.
Melbourne Renegades squad
AB McDonald*, Abdul Razzaq, MJ Buchanan, RGL Carters†, AJ Finch, SM Harwood, AK Heal, JM Herrick, MW Hill, BJ Hodge, BG McDonald, GA Manou, GJ Maxwell, DP Nannes, NJ Reardon, Shahid Afridi, WD Sheridan, SW Tait
Brisbane Heat squad
JR Hopes*, RA Broad, ND Buchanan, DT Christian, PJ Forrest, MG Gale, RJ Harris, CD Hartley†, NM Hauritz, ML Hayden, CA Lynn, BB McCullum, AC McDermott, MG Neser, SJ Paulsen, AW Robinson, CR Swan, RE van der Merwe, DL Vettori
The Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat Big Bash League game will begin at 8.00 am GMT on January 12.
