2019-20 Big Bash League – Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades taking place? Saturday 4th January, 2020 – 08:10 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades taking place? Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
What is the expected weather for Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades? 26c and cloudy but no rain forecast
What television channel is Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades on in the UK? BT Sport have the rights to BBL09 matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades 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 Stars vs Melbourne Renegades? Visit the official BBL website for ticket information
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Melbourne Renegades beat Melbourne Stars by 13 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STARS
- Melbourne Stars come into this derby with the Renegades top of the BBL ladder having won four of their opening five matches and they will be targeting revenge in the first match since the Renegades beat them in last year’s final.
- They were cruising to victory on Thursday against Sydney Thunder but lost six late wickets for just 19 runs as they limped over the line so that may well revive memories of the final of the BBL last year when they suffered a major collapse to lose to the Renegades.
- They make two changes to the squad for this match as both Hilton Cartwright and Sandeep Lamichhane return from injury which forced them to miss the Sydney Thunder match so Haris Rauf and Jono Merlo are the two to drop out. Rauf especially can feel hard done by after another excellent performance taking three wickets.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
- Melbourne Renegades disastrous title defence continued last time out against Sydney Sixers as their total of 153/6 on Thursday was not good enough and that consigned them to their fifth consecutive defeat from five matches played so far.
- Sam Harper and Shaun Marsh both hit 40s but nobody could go on to hit a big score nor score at a fast enough rate to put a challenging total on the board, and their bowlers could not quite win it for them either.
- Harry Gurney missed that match as he returned home to England for his brother’s wedding but he returns to the squad for this game along with all-rounder Jack Wildermuth as Marcus Harris and Joe Mennie drop out.
THE PREDICTION
Based on form, there is no contest here as the Stars have been one of the standout teams in the tournament so far while the Renegades have been abysmal, losing all five matches. The Renegades will surely put a much-improved performance in here and the fact it is a derby should see them raise their game when everybody is writing them off. The Stars have more talent, the better form, and many more ways to win the game compared to their city rivals. However, it would be no surprise if the Renegades pulled off the shock here. The Stars looked a little fragile in their last run chase, and while they are still firmly expected to win, this is one of those games where logic may go out of the window and the underdogs rise to the occasion.
