BBL 2025/26 | Match 15: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades | Preview and Predictions
Hobart Hurricanes will take on Melbourne Renegades in Match 15 of the ongoing 2025/26 Big Bash League at the Bellerive Oval on 29th December 2025.
Hobart Hurricanes, the defending champions, have started their campaign well and currently sit second with six points from their first four games. Melbourne Renegades, however, are having trouble building any rhythm and languish at the foot of the ladder with just two points from two appearances.
Here, we present our preview and predictions for Match 15 between the Hurricanes and the Renegades
BBL|15 Match 15: Hurricanes vs Renegades | 13:45 IST, December 29, 2025
Hobart Hurricanes have begun their BBL|15 season with solid results, picking up three wins and suffering only one defeat. The early signs have been good, and this contest gives them a chance to carry on their good work in this early part of the season.
Both Mitch Owen and Nikhil Chaudhary at the top of the order have been in good form, setting the stage at the top, with Chaudhary in particular contributing 161 runs across four matches at a strike-rate of 148.
Ben McDermott, who tops the run charts for the Hurricanes this season with 165 runs from four games, has been anchoring their innings through the middle phase beautifully. However, the injury to big-hitter Tim David will be a cause for concern, though, as it’s highly unlikely that we will see him again this season.
The bowling resources reflect similar flexibility. Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis add pace and bounce up front, with seven wickets between them . English all-rounder Chris Jordan has been excellent as usual and has been their go-to guy especially in the death overs, mixing wicket-taking options with calm execution. In the spin department, Rishad Hossain has been a revelation in his first ever BBL season.
Melbourne Renegades on the other hand find themselves at the foot of the table with just two points from two, however, the only positive for them is that they are the only team sitting on two games with all other teams having played three or more games. Hence, there is room to move upwards if they can string together positive results in the matches ahead.
Tim Seifert has been their main man at the top, scoring 129 runs across two innings at a strike rate of 177. Another fast start from him would place the Renegades in a healthy position. Young Victorian all-rounder Oliver Peake has impressed everyone with his 71 runs in two outings while scoring at strike-rate of 170.
However, there has been very little support from the other batters which has resulted in a mediocre start to their campaign. Mohammad Rizwan, Jake Fraser McGurk, and Will Sutherland have the ability, though urgency is required to regain form.
In the bowling department, Jason Behrendorff leads the attack with four wickets from his two appearances. Gurinder Sandhu and Sutherland have also collected three wickets each, however, others have struggled to build sustained pressure on opposing batters. Therefore, much will be asked of lead spinner Adam Zampa, whose four overs of spin will be gold-dust to captain Will Sutherland.
In terms of weather forecast and what to expect from Bellerive Oval, the forecast is for warm and clear conditions. However, batting in the first few overs under lights can cause problems as the pitch takes time to ease up, and wind coming off the Derwent River affects how the ball behaves through the air. Sides that handle the initial four or five overs without too much damage tend to either set or hunt down totals with ease.
Looking ahead to this match-up, Hobart Hurricanes have performed well this season and will want to keep that momentum going now that they’re back at their home venue. The Renegades have enough firepower to cause problems and won’t be beaten easily, but playing at home plus having a more balanced side overall gives the Hurricanes the edge in this contest.
Fantasy XI: Mitchell Owen (vc), Tim Seifert, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott, Will Sutherland, Chris Jordan (c), Nathan Ellis, Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff
Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Winners Prediction: Hobart Hurricanes