Thursday 20th December
Our event of the day is the Big Bash League fixture between the Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium. The opening game of the season for both sides, Melbourne will look for their first BBL victory against Perth. However, they will be without their regular opening pair, who are on international duty. Both teams reached the semi-finals of the postseason last season so expect an exciting match in Melbourne today. The Melbourne Renegades open their BBL season against a team they have never beaten. They are 0-8 against the Perth Scorchers, one of the best teams in Australia’s premier T20 league. However, the Renegades are coming off a strong season, where they reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since the 2012-13 season. They will hope to reach their first finals this season behind an influx of young talented players and international stars. 18 year old Mackenzie Harvey is set to become a fierce batsman and devastating bowler. 19 year old Will Sutherland was the vice-captain for Australia’s under-19s Cricket World Cup team, who finished the tournament as runners-up. He is a talented fast-medium bowler who received the Future Star award at the 2018 Cricket Victoria awards. On top of this young talent, the Renegades have brought in left-handed Pakistani fast bowler Usman Khan Shinwari. The Renegades have been hunting for a fast left-handed bowler to lead their core, especially after losing Dwayne Bravo in the offseason. Bravo had been at the club for four years and lead the BBL in wickets taken during the 2017-18 season.
However, despite these changes, the Renegades will start the season at a disadvantage. Their standard opening pair of Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris will be unavailable as they are currently playing with the Australian test team in the Indian tour of Australia. The Perth Scorchers will come into their season opening full of confidence. They boast a strong team led by veteran Mitchell Marsh, that reached the semi-finals last season. However, coach Adam Voges has stated that he is still torn between two young prospects for the position of wicketkeeper. Sam Whitehead is an agile wicketkeeper with a strong batting ability. Josh Inglis is a young talent who has minimal experience in domestic T20 play but could be a great asset for the Scorchers. The Renegades hosting the Scorchers is an exciting David versus Goliath match to start the season so be sure you don’t miss it.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NHL, where the Calgary Flames host the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Scotiabank Saddledrome. The Flames are enjoying a strong season and lead the Pacific Division of the Western Division. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and boast a high-scoring offense led by Sean Monahan, Elias Lindholm, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. The Lightning are also enjoying a strong season. They have a comfortable lead atop the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division. They are 9-0-1 in their last 10 games and definitely a strong playoff contender. This is a match between two of the best teams in the NHL this season and a game you won’t want to miss. Elsewhere, in NCAA basketball, 2nd ranked Duke face 12th ranked Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden. In equestrian, the Olympia Horse Show continues at London Olympia. In college football, South Florida and Marshall face off in the Gasparilla Bowl at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The World Darts Championship continue at Alexandria Palace.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by BBL
Originally published at www.fixturecalendar.com/blog. To see what else is happening in the world of sport use the Fixture Calendar.
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