Big Bash League: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers, Preview and prediction

    The Melbourne Renegades will challenge last year's finalists, the Sydney Sixers, at Simonds Stadium in Geelong on December 30. The two teams last faced each other a few days ago when the Sixers defeated the Renegades by 34 runs to emerge victorious.

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    Sydney Sixers Sydney Sixers

    In that match, batsman Josh Phillipe again wreaked havoc, contributing 55 runs to the team's total of 149 after 20 overs.

    Apart from Phillipe, this was the only batter that could help the team get off to a good start. The bowlers, on the other hand, were in excellent form. The carnage of Ben Dwarshuis wreaked havoc on the Renegades' batters as the 28-year-old picked up four wickets and conceded just 17 runs in his four overs.

    On the other hand, Sean Abbott and Hayden Kerr picked up two wickets each.

    Something went wrong for the Nic Maddison-led side on the night. Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh tried to get a grip on the situation, but shortly after they were bowled out, the team collapsed and were bowled out for 115 runs. Even though Mujeeb picked up three wickets, the team's overall performance was below average.

    Pitch report

    Simonds Stadium is expected to support the Bowlers. In these conditions, batting first is ideal.

    Players to watch

    Aaron Finch

    Akeal Hosein

    Josh Philippe

    Sean Abbott

    Match Prediction: The Sydney Sixers will win this game because the Sixers have won their last three games, and the last time they faced the Renegades, they bowled them out by just 115

    Squads:

    Melbourne Renegades squad: Martin Guptill, Nic Maddinson(c), Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Jonathan Wells, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Peter Handscomb(w), Tom Rogers, Mackenzie Harvey, David Moody, Corey Rocchiccioli, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 

    Sydney Sixers squad: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe(w), James Vince, Moises Henriques(c), Daniel Christian, Jordan Silk, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Jordan, Izharulhaq Naveed, Todd Murphy, Jack Edwards, Daniel Hughes