Big Bash betting tips & specials for Renegades vs. Hurricanes

Back-to-back defeats against Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers have left Andrew McDonald’s charges two points outside the playoff spots with three fixtures remaining.

They do have a game in hand on the rest of the bottom four, however, along with a superior net run rate compared to Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder.

But that will mean nothing if they can’t arrest the slide and start picking up wins.

A major area of concern is the output of the club’s Victorian quicks.

Chris Tremain has claimed only two wickets in five matches, while the fit-again James Pattinson has leaked more than 12 runs per overs in his two appearances.

It was the latter’s costly no ball in the final over on Tuesday that all but handed the Sixers victory in what was an otherwise tight and tense affair.

The Hurricanes have a similar issue.

Shaun Tait is just about done at this level, while Hamish Kingston and Simon Milenko have also taken a hiding when called upon.

But Stuart Broad and Dan Christian have done a very decent job with the ball, as have spin twins Cameron Boyce and Clive Rose – notwithstanding the latter’s pounding at the hands of the Thunder openers earlier this week.

The batting is a mixed bag.

Although Tim Paine and D’Arcy Short have now gone a couple of games without runs at the top of the order, the likes of George Bailey, Beau Webster and Jon Wells keep popping up with key contributions.

Ben McDermott came in for the out-of-luck Kumar Sangakkara on Monday and could hold onto the number three slot after knocking a handy 31 off 21 balls.

Yet despite the many positives, the ‘Canes are second from bottom in the BBL06 table and in real danger of fulfilling the preseason premonitions of a wooden spoon.

If they lose on Thursday at the Etihad, whatever slim hopes they have of reaching finals will be well and truly extinguished.

Aaron Finch betting markets

Dropped from Australia’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan, Aaron Finch looks like a man with a point to prove.

His half-century against the Thunder this week was notable for the moments of patience in amongst all the heavy hitting upon which his reputation is built.

He is the Renegades’ top scorer in BBL06 and one of six players this season to pass 200 runs.

A few more captain’s knocks will be required if the red half of Melbourne is to play any part in the finals.

Top Renegades batsman – $3 at William Hill

To score 50 – $3.50 at William Hill

Top match batsman – $3.75 at Sportsbet

Most sixes – $5 at Bet365

Man of the match – $6.50 at Bet365

To score 100 – $12 at William Hill

BBL06 Renegades vs. Hurricanes match tips

The Renegades could so easily be in the top two right now.

Had they come out on the other side of those narrow defeats to the Thunder and Perth Scorchers, the Docklands side would be sitting pretty with eight points from five games.

Only Melbourne Stars have soundly outplayed the ‘Gades this season, so it’s a bit simple to lump them in with the other stragglers.

The batting lineup is a little thin beyond the top four, hence Sunil Narine’s role as a pinch-hitting opener.

But Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara Perera looks a good pick-up and should go some way towards filling the hole left by Bravo’s absence.

The Hurricanes have a lot of good of parts that don’t seem to be working in unison.

And with Tait offering little to no threat these days, there is a noted lack of firepower in the Hobart bowling stocks.

The Renegades must get back to winning ways at home after last weekend’s derby defeat and should get the job done here.

Match result – Melbourne Renegades ($1.75 at Sportsbet)

Highest opening partnership – Hobart Hurricanes ($2.05 at CrownBet)