Domestic cricket returns to Perth, with the Scorchers to host the Renegades — who both only have one win each — in the first BBL game at Optus Stadium for the summer.
The Scorchers will enter Sunday afternoon’s clash — the first of a BBL double-header — with ample momentum after an impressive New Year’s Eve win over the Adelaide Strikers. Paceman Jhye Richardson produced a summer-best spell before an even batting performance sealed Perth’s first win. The Renegades, however, are out form, dropping their past five consecutive games, including a loss to the Sydney Thunder just two days ago.
The Renegades won the toss and elected to field first.
Melbourne’s only win this summer, in fact, came against the Scorchers in what was both teams’ first game of the summer.
The Scorchers flopped after winning the bat flip and electing to bat first, bowled out for 130 off 19.1 overs as Kane Richardson and Josh Lalor snared three wickets apiece. Veteran openers Shaun Marsh (62) and Aaron Finch (35) then set the tone for a comfortable run chase, reaching the target with seven wickets and 21 balls to spare.
However the Renegades have failed to fire since that game in Hobart last month
The WA locals are already flocking through the Optus Stadium gates to see their team in action live for the first time.
The match gets underway at 4.05pm (AEDT).
TEAMS
Scorchers XI: Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitch Marsh, Ashton Turner (c), Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed (X-factor subs: Joel Paris, Cameron Bancroft)
Renegades XI: Shaun Marsh, Sam Harper (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Rilee Rossouw, Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Josh Lalor, Peter Hatzoglou, Noor Ahmad (X-factor subs: Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland)
