Melbourne Renegades will face Brisbane Heat at Simonds Stadium, Geelong, in Match 2 of the Big Bash League 2025–26 on Monday, December 15. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:45 pm IST and will mark the first-ever BBL game at this venue.
Match Details
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Match: Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat, Match 2, BBL 2025–26
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Date: Monday, December 15
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Time: 1:45 pm IST
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Venue: Simonds Stadium, Geelong
Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat both enter the new BBL season looking to bounce back after disappointing campaigns last year, where they finished sixth and seventh respectively. With fresh leadership, revised combinations, and international firepower added to their squads, this contest promises to be an early test of intent for both sides.
Team Overviews
Melbourne Renegades will be led by Will Sutherland, who provides balance with both bat and ball. The Renegades’ batting revolves around explosive opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, whose aggressive approach can dictate powerplay momentum. Josh Brown and Caleb Jewell add depth at the top, while Mohammad Rizwan and Tim Seifert offer stability and finishing power in the middle order. The bowling attack looks experienced and versatile, featuring Jason Behrendorff’s swing with the new ball, Andrew Tye’s variations at the death, and support from Gurinder Sandhu and Fergus O’Neill.
Brisbane Heat, under the captaincy of Nathan McSweeney, have built a solid mix of youth and experience. Colin Munro remains a key threat in the top order, capable of changing the game in a few overs, while Matt Renshaw and Jimmy Peirson bring reliability in the middle. The bowling unit will largely depend on Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose ability to strike early could be decisive, supported by Xavier Bartlett, Patrick Dooley, and Jack Wildermuth.
Head-to-Head Record
Melbourne Renegades have enjoyed the upper hand historically, winning 14 of the 22 T20 meetings between the two teams, while Brisbane Heat have claimed eight victories. Their most recent clash took place in January 2025.
Pitch Report
Simonds Stadium has hosted eight T20 matches so far, though none in the BBL. Teams batting first have won five of those games, indicating a slight advantage for setting a target. Fast bowlers are expected to extract movement early, while the surface could slow down as the match progresses, bringing cutters and spinners into play during the middle overs.
Probable Playing XIs
Melbourne Renegades are expected to field Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Brown, Caleb Jewell, Mohammad Rizwan, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Will Sutherland (captain), Hassan Khan, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Fergus O’Neill, and Gurinder Sandhu.
Brisbane Heat’s likely XI includes Max Bryant, Colin Munro, Nathan McSweeney (captain), Matt Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson (wicketkeeper), Jack Wildermuth, Hugh Weibgen, Xavier Bartlett, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Patrick Dooley, and Liam Haskett.
Key Players to Watch
Jake Fraser-McGurk will be under focus as he looks to rediscover form and provide explosive starts for the Renegades. For Brisbane Heat, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s impact with the new ball could set the tone, especially in conditions favoring fast bowlers.
Live Streaming and Broadcast
The match will be broadcast live on JioStar Network channels in India, with live streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website. In Australia, the game will be available on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports, while selected international regions will have access through official BBL broadcast partners.
Match Prediction
Considering the pitch conditions and past trends at the venue, the team batting first is likely to have an advantage. A disciplined bowling effort followed by a competitive total could be the key to securing victory in this encounter.