Event of the Day: Melbourne Renegades versus Adelaide Strikers

Our event of the day is the Big Bash League game between the Melbourne Renegades and the Adelaide Strikers at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. The Renegades are in fourth place in the table with eight points from seven matches and have a realistic chance of reaching the knockout phase as they have two more games of the regular season to play after this fixture, against the Sydney Thunder and the Brisbane Heat. The Strikers sit in second position with 12 points from eight matches and have secured a place in the semifinals; while a win today would see them level at the top with defending champions Perth Scorchers, who they travel to in the last round, and give them home advantage for the semifinals. 

The Melbourne Renegades lost their last two games away to the Scorchers and at home against their city rivals the Stars on January 12th, so this is their first matchup in ten days. The Adelaide side has won three of its four previous matches, including a home win over the Hobart Hurricanes by 11 runs on Wednesday. The Renegades and the Strikers have met six times in the past, each side winning on three occasions. The hosts are still without opening batsman Aaron Finch who is with the Australian one-day team, but captain Cameron White returns from international duty for this clash, as do the wicket keeper Alex Carey and skipper Travis Head for the visitors. All-rounder Kieron Pollard will make his Renegades debut against his former team. An exciting game is expected at the Etihad Stadium.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to Day 8 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. The final 4th round matches will take place to complete the participants of the quarterfinals in all competitions. In the men’s single, defending champion Roger Federer takes on the Hungarian Márton Fucsovics; whilst in the women’s singles world number one Simona Halep from Romania faces Naomi Osaka of Japan, following her record-equaling match for number of games played in a women’s singles match (48 games). New Zealand and Pakistan play their 1st T20 at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. In the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs face off against the Colorado Avalanche at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, while the Chicago Blackhawks host the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago. The NBA brings the duel between the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat at Houston’s Toyota Center; as well as a clash between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In the Premier League, Swansea City meet with Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea; while in Serie A Juventus welcome Genoa to the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by BBL