Renegades out to grab BBL finals berth

Jan 17, 2016 - 3:35 AM Melbourne Renegades' path to the Big Bash League finals is clear but challenging.

The Renegades will host the final match of the regular BBL season on Monday, when they face table-topping Adelaide Strikers at Etihad Stadium.

The Renegades must not only win but win comfortably to overtake fourth-placed Sydney Thunder on the ladder.

The Renegades will set up a semi-final showdown with the Strikers if they triumph by 38 runs or more.

If the hosts are batting second they will need to chase down the victory target in 15.3 overs to keep their season alive.

"We're the last game of the tournament, so I guess that's a good thing," Renegades skipper Cameron White said.

"We'll know exactly what we have to do to qualify.

"Our destiny is in our own hands."

Coach David Saker made one change to the Renegades' 13-man squad, with Nathan Hauritz included at the expense of Aaron Ayre.

Hauritz has played only one game this BBL season.

Saker could be tempted to call up the veteran offspinner as he plots the downfall of damaging left-hander Travis Head.

Head has scored 276 runs for the Strikers this season, putting his name firmly in contention for Australia's T20 World Cup squad.

James Pattinson, one of many Australian pacemen in the mix for that tournament, has been rested from Monday night's clash.

Pattinson was slated to return against Adelaide after Cricket Australia (CA) ordered him to skip the Renegades' past two clashes.

However, the Victorian is yet to be declared fully fit by CA.

Pattinson is still bothered by the shin niggle that he nursed during the SCG Test.

Peter Siddle, who is recovering from an ankle injury, also remains sidelined for the Renegades.

The Strikers will host the first BBL semi-final on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval.

The second semi will be played at the MCG on Friday night, with Melbourne Stars having locked up hosting rights by defeating Perth at the WACA.

Source: AAP