Gades to bat first against Sixers in BBL

Shayne Hope | December 30, 2022

The Melbourne Renegades’ decorated batting line-up has been given an immediate chance to bounce back from its recent BBL humiliation against the Sydney Sixers.

Two days after being skittled for just 115 by the same opponent, the Renegades have won the toss and decided to bat first in Geelong on Friday night.

Both sides enter the contest with 3-2 records, with the Renegades naming an unchanged line-up from the previous clash.

The Sixers are on a roll, chasing a fourth consecutive victory, and have picked Chris Jordan and Izharulhaq Naveed to replace Sean Abbott and Todd Murphy.

Renegades captain Nic Maddinson was critical of the SCG pitch after Wednesday’s clash but the GMHBA Stadium deck should not pose as many issues for the batters.

“We’re batting first on a good-looking track, so no excuse today,” Renegades allrounder Will Sutherland told Fox Sports.

Renegades veteran Aaron Finch has 2971 career runs in the BBL and is chasing a slice of history as he seeks to become the second player behind Chris Lynn (3157) to reach 3000.

The Renegades won their previous match at their ‘home away from home’ in Geelong, beating the Brisbane Heat by four wickets last week.

MELBOURNE RENEGADES: Nic Maddinson (capt), Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch, Jon Wells, Peter Handscomb, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

SYDNEY SIXERS: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Phillippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques (capt), Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Jordan, Jackson Bird, Izharulhaq Naveed.