Event of the Day: Sydney Thunder versus Melbourne Renegades
Our event of the day is the meeting in the Big Bash League between Sydney Thunder and the Melbourne Renegades at the Spotless Stadium. These two teams currently sit fourth and third in the BBL respectively, but the Renegades know a win tonight will see them leapfrog the Sydney Sixers into second place. Meanwhile, the Thunder will be looking to reignite their season after a power outage cut their last game short meaning the game had to be abandoned. The Thunder’s batsmen have been the key to the club’s success during this campaign and are currently led in run scoring by Shane Watson who has been impressive at the crease so far. Only two players have registered more sixes than Watson during this campaign, who has already notched 15. On the other side of the ball, Daniel Sams leads the team in wickets taken with 11 to his name, but the Australian does have one of the worst bowling economies in the league at 8.92.
The Melbourne Renegades have been disappointing with the bat so far this term and have relied upon their impressive bowling brigade to bail them out on several occasions. That unit is lead by fast-medium bowler Kane Richardson who leads the team in wickets taken, having notched 16 in eight appearances thus far – only Steve O’Keefe of the Sydney Sixers has taken as many wickets this season. In the batting stakes, Sam Harper leads the way for the Renegades, having appeared in all ten games of the season thus far, scoring 220 runs in the process. However, if the Renegades are going to get the better of this Sydney Thunder outfit, they will rely on their bowlers to contain the batting power within the Thunder’s ranks. These two sides last faced each other a year ago, on that occasion the Renegades came out on top at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, winning by nine runs on the day. Today should be a great game between two competitive sides.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA clash between playoff contenders, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. These two franchises currently reside third and fourth in the Western Conference respectively, and both look a shoo-in to be playing post-season basketball this term. In the Asian Cup, Son Heung-min and his South Korean team mates will look to book their place in the Quarter-finals as they have a round of 16 date with Bahrain. We have also reached the Quarter-final stage of the Australian Open, and today’s action is headlined by Rafael Nadal who faces Frances Tiafoe of the USA and Petra Kvitová who will take to the court with home-town favourite Ashleigh Barty. There is a crucial clash in the NHL as the race for playoff places continues, with the Washington Capitals doing battle with the San Jose Sharks at the Capital One Arena. Finally, there is action in EFL League One as AFC Wimbledon go up against Fleetwood whilst Walsall will make the long journey south to face Plymouth Argyle.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by BBL