The 38th BBL 2025 match between the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades will take place at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Saturday. The Melbourne Renegades lost their third straight game of the season, as another disappointing performance pushed them further down the table. They have been eliminated from the playoff race.

On the other hand, the Adelaide Strikers have continued their poor run of form this season, losing their third consecutive match and being eliminated from the playoff race this year. The Strikers were bowled out for just 83 runs, which is one of their lowest totals of the season, after batting first. 

Also Read: STR vs REN Dream11 Prediction Playing XI: Match 38, Big Bash League, 2026 Fantasy Cricket Tips, Team, and Pitch Report

STR vs REN Match Details

• Match: Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades, 38th Match 

• Date: 17th January 2026

• Time: 11.30 AM IST

• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

STR vs REN Weather Report

STR vs REN Pitch Report

The pitch at Adelaide Oval is suited to batters and is a high-scoring venue. The ball is well-hit, and the short square boundaries add to the advantage.

Top Batters to Watch – STR vs REN

• Josh Brown (REN): 305 runs in this tournament 

• Liam Scott (STR): 292 runs in this tournament 

• Tim Seifert (REN): 285 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowlers to Watch – STR vs REN

• Gurinder Sandhu (REN): 18 wickets in this tournament 

• Lloyd Pope (STR): 13 wickets in this tournament 

• Jamie Overton (STR): 12 wickets in this tournament 

STR vs REN Recent Form

STR vs REN Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If REN Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 35–40

• Predicted Total: 160–175

• Match Result: STR to win

Scenario 2: If STR bats first

• Powerplay Score: 45–50

• Predicted Total: 185–190

• Match Result: STR to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

STR vs REN Predicted Playing XIs

Adelaide Strikers 

Alex Carey (C), Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Liam Scott, Jason Sangha, Jamie Overton, Harry Manenti, Hasan Ali, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope, Tabraiz Shamsi

Melbourne Renegades 

Tim Seifert, Josh Brown, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Harry Dixon, Hassan Khan, Will Sutherland (c), Sam Elliott, Gurinder Sandhu, Brendan Doggett, Adam Zampa

STR vs REN Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

Based on current form, team balance, and superior bowling strength, the Adelaide Strikers are the favourites to win this BBL match. Alex Carey, Matthew Short and Lloyd Pope are expected to be the key performers.

STR vs REN Match FAQs

After a break of three days from Australia’s Ashes 2025/26 series victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) by a 4-1 margin, the focus for the national players has turned to the Big Bash League (BBL) as their wicket keeper better Alex Carey, returns to Adelaide Strikers’ team for their clash against the Perth Scorchers at the Adelaide Oval.

A video has gone viral around social media platforms, where it was seen that Alex Carey’s daughter was scared by the firecrackers, a dead little Oval which burst at the start of the game to welcome the players heading into the middle. That was a very cute moment for the fans, but it started cruelly for the home side.

See Also: List of India-born players to play for New Zealand cricket ft. Adithya Ashok

Both the opening batters of the Perth side, Finn Allen and Mitchell Marsh, went hard against the Strikers’ bowlers. The 81-run opening stand in 4.5 overs, so the New Zealand opening batsmen put on 38 runs in 16 balls with the help of four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 237.50.

Alex Carey's daughter scared of Adelaide's firecrackers 

On the other hand, the Mars club scored 71 runs in just 42 deliveries at a strike rate of nearly 170, thanks to his four boundaries and 6SIXES as he got full support from George English, who nailed a decent knock of 42 runs in 23 balls, thanks to his four boundaries and three sixes.

Watch the video here: 

The fireworks were a little too loud for Alex Carey's daughter Clementine, who just wants Mum 🥹 pic.twitter.com/vJ2oEPwq0I

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 11, 2026

In between those, Lloyd Pope made a tiny comeback for the home side with two successive wickets of Finn Allen and Cooper Connolly, who has now been dismissed on first-ball ducks on two consecutive innings against the Adelaide Strikers. The Strikers made their way to 161 for the loss of three wickets in 14 overs at an economy rate of 11.5 and look set to cross the 230-run mark.

It was a vital game for both sides, who looked to get the most out of this game and qualify for the playoffs, having not been among the top three teams of the event as of now.

Brief Scores: Adelaide Strikers 86/0 (Matthew Short 47*, Alex Carey 34*) vs Perth Scorchers 232/4 (Mitchell Marsh 88, Llyod Popr 2/36)

The opening day of the third Test of the Ashes 2025-26 at Adelaide experienced a great battle, where the English bowlers controlled the Aussie batters, while Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey were the stand-out performers for the hosts with the bat. While Carey's century rescued the Aussies in the first innings of the Test match, the English team is fuming over the controversial not-out decision on Carey due to a snicko gaffe.

Watch: Alex Carey dedicates maiden Ashes 2025/26 century to his late father in Adelaide

Was Alex Carey out on 72 runs?

When Alex Carey was batting on 72 runs, there was a caught behind appeal from the English side in Josh Tongue's over. As the bowling end umpire gave it a not out, the visitors went for a DRS. There was a clear light sound when the ball was exactly passing the bat, but the snicko reading was producing a significant spike well before the ball hit the bat, while there was no spike when the ball may actually have touched the bat.

Observing the situation, the third umpire stood by the original decision, while many were shocked by the incident. Later, Alex Carey accepted that he also felt a bit of feather or some sort of noise when the ball passed his bat. He further added that he would possibly review with a doubt if the on-field umpire gave him out. 

Ultimately, Carey completed his century, as he scored a crucial 106 runs, as Australia scored 326/8 at the stumps of the opening day. 

Must have selected the incorrect stump mic for audio processing

As Carey indirectly admitted ball hit his bat, the snicko is under pressure now. The owners of Real-Time Snickometer have accepted the mistake and explained the reason why the shocking error happened that hurt the English team.

England were considering raising their disappointment around the Snicko technology used in Australia with the match referee, which cost them the wicket of Alex Carey during the third Test of the Ashes 2025/26 in Adelaide, with the wicket-keeper batter later on going on to celebrate a fine century to bail Australia out of trouble.

It was the first ball of the 63rd over by Josh Tongue, when Carey flashed hard only to Jamie Smith, and the England players appealed. They took it upstairs before the TV umpire ruled it not out, seeing a clear gap with no spike when the ball passes the bat.

See Also: Watch: Virat Kohli travels to Alibaug with Anushka Sharma as video goes viral

“I thought there was a bit of a feather or some sort of noise when it passed the bat. It looked a bit funny on the replay, didn't it, with the noise coming early? If I were given out, I think I would have reviewed it - probably not confidently though. It was a nice sound as it passed the bat, yeah.” Carey expressed in the post-day press conference.  

Alex Carey reflects on controversy around Snicko technology

Carey was on 72 by then and added another 34 runs after his reprieve. The former umpire performance manager at the ICC, Simon Taufel, claimed that Snicko perhaps had malfunctioned, while England’s bowling coach, David Saker, showed concern about the quality of the technology throughout the series.

Watch the video here: 

Controversy in #TheAshes as human error with Snicko saves Alex Carey… and his century 👀 pic.twitter.com/VXxqmNPb6N

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 17, 2025

“I have never seen a spike like this occur without the bat hitting something like a pad, or the ground, or the ball hitting the pad. My gut tells me, from all of my experience on-field, and also as a TV umpire, that I think Alex Carey has actually hit that ball and the technology calibration hasn't been quite right to game the outcome that it was looking for.” Teufel addressed.

“The boys were pretty confident he hit it. I think the calibration of the Snicko is out quite a bit, and that has probably been the case for the series. There have been some things that don't really measure up. At that stage, it was a pretty important decision. Those things hurt, but you get through it.” Sake was highlighted in the press conference.

Alex Carey perhaps didn’t expect to arrive at the Adelaide Oval just five minutes into the second session of the third Ashes 2025/26 Test. He sprinted into the middle after Australia found themselves in a hole, losing both Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the opening over after the lunch break against Jofra Archer. That was the time for Carey and Usman Khawaja to put up a decent stand.

And it did that exactly with Usman Khawaja and Head putting a 91-run stand for the fifth wicket before the latter got dismissed for his 82-run knock with the help of 10 boundaries at a strike rate of 65. However, Carey, who was the aggressive batter of the partnership, made sure that the hosts never got behind the eighth ball in the first innings.

See Also: “Not in our mind but…”- Shreyas Iyer drops shocking statement on this player’s signing in IPL 2026 auction

Carey finally celebrated his century off 135 deliveries and marked the occasion with a deeply emotional gesture. He removed his helmet and looked towards the sky in tribute to his late father, Gordon, who passed away on September 25 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Alex Carey celebrates emotional maiden Ashes 2025/26 century

Carey’s wife, Eloise, whom he has been married to since 2016, was also present in the stands at the Adelaide Oval and broke down once he reaches his hundred. The wicket-keeper batter finally got dismissed for 106 runs in 143 balls at a strike rate of 74.13 with the help of eight boundaries and one six.

Watch the video here: 

"That one is for you dad!"

A wonderful moment as the hometown hero Alex Carey brings up 100.#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/aEdfwRedz5

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2025

“To be able to play a role in the innings today was great. I would have loved to score more runs and stay out there a bit longer, but being able to take the helmet off and look up to the heavens was a really nice moment.” An emotional Carey expressed in the press conference at the end of the opening day’s play.

Josh Inglis contributed with 32 runs in just 39 balls while Mitchell Starc remained unbeaten with 33 runs in 63 balls as Australia finished the first day’s play with 326/8 in 83 overs. Archer was the peak of the bowlers with 3/29 in 16 overs.

India’s fielding during the third ODI of the three-match series against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was excellent. All of them were active in the middle by stopping crucial runs, which built incredible pressure on the batters, and that ended in wickets of the home side. India didn’t make a good start with the ball, but found their way later in the game.

Alex Carey struggled against the spinner since his arrival in the middle. The left-handed batter swept Kuldeep Yadav into the long-off region and almost found Prasidh Krishna, who couldn’t keep the ball in his lap. The left-handed batter suddenly looked to get his feet moving with some aggressive batting.

See Also: [WATCH] Mohammed Siraj draws first blood with Travis Head's wicket during AUS vs ID 3rd ODI

But Shreyas Iyer’s excellent catch put the curtains down for the left-handed batter. On 24 runs, Carey threw his arms against Harshit Rana, perhaps looking to go over the mid-off or extra cover region, but couldn’t get the sweet timing of the blade and sliced the ball in the air. Shreyas Iyer turned around and ran back from backward point to time the jump perfectly and held onto the catch.

Watch: Shreyas Iyer sends back Alex Carey for 24 runs during AUS vs IND Sydney ODI

Both the opening batters of the home side, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, gave a good platform with the opening partnership of 61 runs. The former smashed 29 runs in 25 balls with a strike rate of 116, while the captain of the side ended with 41 runs in 50 balls, thanks to five boundaries and one six.

Shreyas SUPERMAN Iyer! 💪

Puts his body on the line for #TeamIndia and gets the much needed wicket. 🙌💙#AUSvIND 👉 3rd ODI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/0evPIuAfKW pic.twitter.com/LCXriNqYFy

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 25, 2025

Matth Renshaw, since making his debut in the opening clash in Perth, got out for the first time in the series for 56 runs in 58 balls with a strike rate of 96.55, shouldering on two boundaries, which shows the incredible running between the wickets he did.

But India made a clinical comeback as they reduced the Australian side to 201/7 from 183/3. The home side lost their four wickets for just 18 runs in nearly seven overs. However, it was a good surface for any team to cross the 275-run mark.  

As Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss at the Adelaide Oval, he elected to bowl first against India in the second ODI of the series. Australia currently has a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and have made three changes to their playing XI, whilst India has once again elected to stick with the same XI, despite suffering a crushing loss in the first ODI at Perth.

Australia have replaced Josh Philippe, Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Ellis with Alex Carey, Adam Zampa and Xavier Bartlett, respectively. Carey's inclusion brings further depth into the middle order, and experience behind the stumps after a good stint for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield. Zampa bolsters their spin options, and Bartlett takes the place of Ellis whilst adding a little extra pace to the mix.

Australia's pace attack has a big boost with Bartlett, as India look to square the series

The omission of Nathan Ellis raised a few eyebrows, especially given the reasonable pickup he had in Perth – he bowled a couple of brilliant deliveries which had ending Gill's innings, as well as taking 1/29 off five overs. However, Bartlett is in line with the Australian mindset and tactic thinking. Bartlett is renowned for his ability to swing the new ball and working to fuller lengths, both aspects that can translate positively on the Adelaide surface. His tall height and skillset can create an uncomfortable state for the Indian top order, who struggled against pace and bounce in the 1st ODI. 

ALSO SEE: McGrath, Gillespie, Fleming share their favourite Indian fast bowlers

Another reason for a change in pace bowling is Australia's rotating squad policy. They have several pacers like Pat Cummins, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson and Ben Dwarshuis on the recovery from injury, and the management are being conservative  in terms of load management. Ellis is also a member of Australia's T20I squad for the upcoming series against India, therefore he is being managed for the shorter format where his ability will be more viable at the death.

There were no changes to India's playing XI after the loss. The experienced top order of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill are once again expected to set the tone, and keep the side alive in the series. 

With cool conditions and early movement anticipated, Australia's choice to bowl first may pay off. India, on the other hand, will hope to counter early swing and post a competitive score on a ground that is generally a high scoring one.

Playing XIs:
Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.

Australia’s batting was on fire in the third ODI at Mackay as they scored a huge 431 runs for 2 wickets in 50 overs.

The innings started with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh giving the team a dream start. They added a record 250 runs for the first wicket. Head was the key player, hitting the ball to all along the ground. He scored a brilliant 142 runs from 103 balls, 17 fours and 5 sixes. Marsh played a steady innings, reaching his hundred from 106 balls .

After their partnership, Cameron Green took charge and scored one of the fastest powerful innings in recent games . He reached his hundred in just 47 balls, the second fastest century by an Australian in ODIs. Green stayed unbeaten with 118 runs from only 55 balls, hitting long sixes with ease.

Alex Carey also scored brilliantly 50 runs not out from 37 balls, rotating the strike and supporting Green in the last final overs. By the end of the innings, Australia had scored a massive score, leaving South Africa facing a very tough chase of 432 runs.

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Twitter reactions after Aussies to 431/2 in First Innings in the 3rd ODI

What Aussie media will tell you: Australia scored 431 runs 🥶 🔥
What Aussie media will never tell you:
All those runs came against Mighty Dinda sorry Mphaka,110kph Wiaan Mulder,103 averege in ODI's with the ball Corbin Bosch & 57 average with the ball Aiden Markram 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LlMwcBvIKR

— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) August 24, 2025

Australia 431/2 in 50 overs.
Marnus Labuschagne didn't even get to bat.
Had he batted he would've scored 50 runs of 85 balls and Australia would've ended up with 375. 😂😂
Australia dodged a bullet 😂 pic.twitter.com/QnI2tyTKUs

— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) August 24, 2025

15 overs to go in the first innings, and the Proteas have finally broken the opening partnership! 🙌🇿🇦

Australia is 256/1 after 35 overs. 🏏 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/R52PTZAdYm

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 24, 2025

Head - 142 (103).
Green - 118* (55).
Marsh - 100 (106).
Carey - 50* (37).

AUSTRALIA POSTED 431/2 AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6yWG6Cxg9Y

— ABD (@FAheemAli_14) August 24, 2025

Head 142, Green 118*, Marsh 100, Carey 50*: Australia smash 431/2. Rampage. 🇦🇺🔥 pic.twitter.com/nsCJYcmSML

— Chris Felix (@ChrisFeliii) August 24, 2025

HUNDRED FOR CAMERON GREEN FROM JUST 47 BALLS...!!!! 🥶🔥

- Second Fastest Hundred by an Australian in ODI History, One of the Iconic Knocks ever, Brutal Ball striking at its best by the future. pic.twitter.com/dcfYI9W8GK

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 24, 2025

Cameron Green turned down an easy single and then went 6, 6, 6! 😱 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/voNCrHoZcV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 24, 2025

Travis Head - 142(103)
Cameron Green - 118*(55)
Mitchell Marsh - 100(106)
Alex Carey - 50*(37)

AUSTRALIA POSTED 431/2 FROM 50 OVERS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA - Their Second highest total in ODI History. pic.twitter.com/VMChpSul8s

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 24, 2025

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey recently shared his thoughts on one of MS Dhoni’s iconic dismissals from 2016. The moment came during a clash between India and Australia, where the legendary Indian captain showcased his sharp glovework behind the stumps.

Carey, who has often admired Dhoni’s wicketkeeping brilliance, was particularly impressed by the lightning-fast stumping of James Faulkner off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling. Reacting to the clip, the 33-year-old described Dhoni as “a genius,” acknowledging the former skipper’s unmatched anticipation and composure under pressure. The dismissal highlighted Dhoni’s ability to change a game in an instant with his quick reflexes.

For many fans and cricketers alike, that stumping remains a classic example of Dhoni’s wicketkeeping mastery. Carey’s reaction once again underlines the respect Dhoni commands across the cricketing world, not just for his leadership and finishing skills, but also for redefining the art of wicketkeeping at the highest level.

See Also: Shubman Gill vs Joe Root – Statistical comparison after 37 Test matches

Alex Carey Recalls MS Dhoni’s Electrifying Stumping:

Alex Carey suggested that the stumping might have been intentional, pointing to MS Dhoni’s unique wicketkeeping style. In the clip, the ball ricocheted off Dhoni’s pads before crashing onto the stumps, dismissing James Faulkner. 

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Carey praised the former Indian captain’s unconventional yet effective technique, noting how Dhoni often produced dismissals that left both batters and spectators stunned with his quick reflexes.

Alex said, “ Dhoni, he's a genius, so he probably meant it. This probably is intentional because it is MS Dhoni. Big chop on from Faulkner. Hit the pad, deflection back onto the stumps. And I think we have got a stumping. But then wicketkeeping gloves are close in in front of the stumps there. Does that come into the question or not?”

"Dhoni, he's a genius!"

Alex Carey reacts to this incredible stumping from the Indian champion 👏 pic.twitter.com/KwSulc2yLf

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 23, 2025

Across nearly 15 years of international cricket, MS Dhoni earned recognition for his unconventional wicketkeeping style. His lightning-fast hands often dislodged the bails in a flash, while his unusual techniques—like raising his right foot parallel to the ground while stopping cut shots—set him apart. These unique methods, combined with his sharp instincts, made Dhoni one of the most distinctive and effective wicketkeepers in the sport’s history.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Shares Dhoni’s Rare Wicketkeeping Practice Habit:

During IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed that MS Dhoni never trained for wicketkeeping during practice sessions. The young opener also pointed out that, despite being 44, Dhoni appeared remarkably fit and sharp throughout the season. 

Gaikwad’s observation highlighted Dhoni’s natural skills behind the stumps and his continued commitment to maintaining peak fitness, even in the later stages of his career. He said, “ He is still the same, he is fitter this year. He does not practice his keeping at all.”

In August 2025, Australian women’s captain Alyssa Healy shared her preference when asked to pick wicketkeeping advice between MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist. She said she would choose Dhoni, explaining that while she had already learned from Gilchrist, she had never received any guidance from the former Indian skipper, making his perspective a fresh and valuable experience for her.

With a home red-ball series against England coming in the bumper summer through the Ashes 2025/26, the Australian wicket-keeper, Alex Carey, didn’t take his eyes off the recently concluded five-match series between England and India, where both teams fought till the end to make it a drawn series by a margin of 2-2.

England, who won the last Ashes away from home in 2010/11 under the captaincy of Sir Andrew Strauss, has not won a single red-ball fixture down under since that. To counter that, their captain and head coach. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum brought this new Bazball theory to go after the Aussies. But Carey won’t be surprised with it this time around.

See Also: 'I wish I didn't...'- Harry Brook reflects on his poor decision during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

‘I think the whole series was pretty entertaining - the way it finished was pretty spectacular. Seeing Woakes (Chris Woakes) walk out to bat was pretty courageous. To see five Test matches go five days is pretty unique. I was probably backing them to score the runs. I reckon once we saw Siraj bowl that first over, there was quite a bit of movement with a 77-over old ball.’ Carey expressed on Cricket.com.au.

Alex Carey reflects on England’s Bazball before Ashes 2025/26

‘When we were over there last time in the Ashes, there was a lot of talk about their new style of play. We've seen it for a number of years now, and there will be no surprises with it. We know the way that they play. Both teams have a good balance between grinding and going after them with certain players.’ The left-handed wicket-keeper batter addressed.

The South Australian, who made his debut during the opening Gabba Test of the last home Ashes 2022, has been the new rescue man of the side in recent years.

‘I pulled up pretty good the next day, just failed a few tests and maybe a little bit foggy that night, but I'm back to 100 percent.’ Expressed Carey, who has recovered well from the concussion in Jamaica during the last day-night Test match against the West Indies. The southpaw has currently drilled 2010 runs in 65 Tests at an average of 34.65, scoring two centuries and 11 half-centuries at the best score of 156 runs.