2018-19 Big Bash League – Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars taking place? Saturday, 19th January - 07:45 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars taking place? Marvel Stadium
What is the expected weather for Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars? Sunshine and cloud expected with temperatures of around 20c but no rain forecast
What channel is Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars on? Fox in Australia & BT Sport 2 in the UK
Where can I stream Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match online via the BT Sport website
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars? http://www.melbournerenegades.com.au/tickets
THE STATISTICS
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Melbourne Renegades W4, Melbourne Stars W10
Last meeting: Melbourne Stars beat Melbourne Renegades by 7 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Coach: Andrew McDonald
Captain: Aaron Finch
- After winning three of their last four games, including an emphatic seven-wicket win over Sydney Sixers with 42 balls to spare on Wednesday, the Renegades are flying high in second place in the Big Bash ladder and confidence is high right now.
- Stand-in skipper Tom Cooper was one of their star men at the SCG hitting 49 off 33 balls but hands the armband back to Aaron Finch, who returns from international duty for the Melbourne derby at Marvel Stadium, though Cooper may continue opening the innings at the top of the order.
- The Renegades also have Marcus Harris in their line-up after he was cleared to play by Cricket Australia before he joins up with the Test squad for their upcoming series with Sri Lanka.
MELBOURNE STARS
Coach: Stephen Fleming
Captain: Glenn Maxwell
- In contrast to their Melbourne rivals, the Stars go into the game propping up the table at the bottom having lost their last three games on the bounce, the latest being a crushing 59-run defeat at the hands of Hobart Hurricanes on Monday.
- The visitors’ top order were floundering on 51-4 against Hobart before eventually making just 126 and will be hoping the return of some of their star men can help them bounce back in one of their biggest games of the season.
- The Stars are given a massive boost with the return of Australian ODI quartet Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa, with Nick Larkin, Jonathan Merlo, Liam Bowe and Scott Boland making way so they can finally field what is arguably their strongest line-up.
THE PREDICTION
On paper it is hard to oppose the Renegades, who come into the game full of confidence and can join Hobart at the top of the table with 12 points with a win, however the Stars should be a different proposition than we saw last time out with both their batting and bowling attack strengthened with the likes of Maxwell, Handscombe, Zampa and Stoinis back. They were in good form before they left for international duty and they could bounce back here.