2019-20 Big Bash League – Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars taking place? Friday 10th January, 2020 – 08:10 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars taking place? Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
What is the expected weather for Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars? 26c with a growing chance of rain as the day goes on that could well affect play
What television channel is Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars on in the UK? BT Sport have the rights to BBL09 matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars in the UK? If televised, BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars? Visit the official BBL website for ticket information
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Melbourne Stars beat Melbourne Renegades by 8 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
- Melbourne Renegades' catastrophic title defence continues in BBL|09 as they sit rock bottom of the ladder with zero wins or points from their opening seven matches and any chance of a top four spot would have to see a remarkable turnaround now.
- They are not helped in that quest by the absence of their two best players as opening batsman Aaron Finch and strike bowler Kane Richardson are both unavailable due to international commitments with Australia so that weakens them significantly coming into this Melbourne derby.
- Dan Christian is named as stand-in captain in Finch’s absence while they bring Tom Cooper, Joe Mennie, Jack Wildermuth and new signing Luke Robins into the 13-man squad as they change things around in the hope of somehow reversing this disastrous form.
MELBOURNE STARS
- In contrast to their city rivals and the team that beat them in the final last year, Melbourne Stars are absolutely flying right now having won six of their first seven matches which included a one-sided victory against the Renegades already.
- They are forced into making a trio of changes as duo Peter Handscombe and Adam Zampa are away with the Australian white ball team, while Nic Maddinson is out through injury and he will continue to be assessed.
- They bring Seb Gotch, Lance Morris and Sam Elliott into the squad and while that still reduces their quality overall, it will be Zampa who is missed the most as Handscombe and Maddinson have not contributed a great deal with the bat so far and they still possess plenty of quality.
THE PREDICTION
The sad reality ahead of this Melbourne derby is that the rain is highly likely to affect play, but that may be a blessing in disguise for the Renegades. Their form is abysmal and they have now lost their best to players to international call-ups. The Stars have so much more quality and depth in their squad (that is if they do manage to get out in the middle and get the overs in) and have to be favoured in a 20-over or reduced-over game.
