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BBL10 | Match Preview: Rejuvenated Stars face down and out Renegades in Melbourne Derby

Abhishek Singh

A rejuvenated Melbourne Stars after their huge victory over the Adelaide Strikers at the MCG would be up against their cross-town rivals Renegades in what could be another walk in the park for Glenn Maxwell’s men, considering the dreadful form of the Aaron Finch led side in this edition of the Big Bash League. 

This game at the MCG would also be an opportunity for the Stars to make their way into the top four of the Points Table once again and thereby making their contention for a playoff spot even stronger. 

In-form batsmen biggest asset for Stars

Andre Fletcher, who has been persisted with by the Stars for nine games straight finally paid back the trust scoring his best knock (89 not out off 49 balls) of his tournament and won a much-needed game for Maxwell's team. It is his form and that of the skipper Maxwell which going to be crucial for the Stars, not only in this game but for the remaining part of the tournament, as the Stars’ bowlers haven’t really got going, apart from the last game, where Strikers’ actually threw their wickets away in pressure. 

Along with them, Hilton Cartwright hitting clean sixes was also a good sign for the Stars. Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, and Nic Maddinson would also be required to showcase their skills with the willow if the Stars want to go all the way. In this match, the batting would have to get a notch better given they don't have the express Haris Rauf in the side. The Pakistani speedster will be required by his national team to play in a two-match Test series against South Africa. 

Renegades have nothing to lose

Finch, the Renegades' skipper in one of the in-match interactions with the commentators said that there was no going away from the bubble and that it has really got into the minds of the players. In such a situation, the best way to go about for the Red Machine would be to give everything that they have got in the last four games. They did fight well versus the Heat, and there should be no doubt in the fact that they would be going all-out against their biggest rivals Stars too. 

Finch along with Beau Webster and Jake Fraser-McGurk wouldn’t mind showing their class at their Victoria home ground and if anything the fact that they have nothing to lose while the opposition has a lot of it might make them even more dangerous to face. 

Stars vs Renegades: Match Details

Match Number-42

Date and Time: Jan 16, 2021, 1:45:00 pm IST, 06.40 pm Local, 08.15 am GMT

Venue- Melbourne Cricket Ground

Broadcast: Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network

Pitch Report

It is clear from the last game that the MCG wicket was a good wicket to bat on if the batsmen spent some time on it. The ball came nicely and at a decent bounce too. It was only a matter of getting the eye in. And as a bowler if the right lengths were hit, there was something in it for them too, all in all, a perfect T20 wicket. A similar track would be expected in this game as well. 

Weather and Bat Flip

There would be clouds in the evening but without a chance of rain. Captains winning the toss would look to field first for some initial assistance for their bowlers with overcast conditions. Chasing would also be preferred as the wicket would get better with the passage of time. 

Stars Strongest XI

Marcus Stoinis, Andre Fletcher, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Seb Gotch (wk), Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Sam Rainbird, Zahir Khan

Renegades Strongest XI

Mackenzie Harvey, Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch (c), Sam Harper (wk), Jack Prestwidge, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Beau Webster, Imad Wasim, Kane Richardson, Peter Hatzoglou, Jon Holland

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