In the 36th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-2024, the Melbourne Renegades (REN) and Melbourne Stars (STA) are set to face off at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday, January 13. The Melbourne derby always sparks excitement among cricket enthusiasts, and this encounter holds particular interest due to the contrasting campaigns of the two teams.
Team Dynamics:
- Melbourne Stars, led by Glenn Maxwell, find themselves in the middle of the points table, positioned at No. 5. They have won four and lost four out of the eight games played, keeping them in contention for a spot in the next round.
- Melbourne Renegades, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the points table. With just one win in eight matches, along with six losses and one no-result, they have already been eliminated from the tournament.
Previous Encounter: In their earlier meeting this season, the Melbourne Stars secured victory by eight wickets in a rain-marred 14-over contest.
Match Details: & Head-to-Head Record:
| Match Details | |
|---|---|
| Match: | Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars, Big Bash League 2023-24 |
| Venue: | Docklands Stadium, Melbourne |
| Date & Time (IST): | Saturday, January 13, 2:00 PM |
| Head-to-Head Record | |
|---|---|
| Matches Played: | 25 |
| Melbourne Renegades Won: | 9 |
| Melbourne Stars Won: | 16 |
Pitch and Conditions: The Docklands Stadium has witnessed competitive cricket, offering something for both batsmen and bowlers. Teams batting second have had an advantage in the three games played at the venue this season. The toss-winning captain is likely to opt for fielding first, given the average first-innings score of 162 in this edition of the BBL.
Predicted Playing XI:
Melbourne Renegades (REN):
- Shaun Marsh, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jordan Cox, Jonathan Well, Will Sutherland (C), Scott Edwards (WK), Ruwantha Kellepotha, Tom Rogers, Fergus O’Neill, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
Melbourne Stars (STA):
- Thomas Rogers, Daniel Lawrence, Beau Webster, Glenn Maxwell (C), Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Harper (WK), Imad Wasim, Jonathan Merlo, Joel Paris, Scott Boland
Probable Best Performers:
- Best Batter: Glenn Maxwell
- Maxwell has been in decent form, scoring 191 runs at an average of 38.20 and a strike rate of 170.54 in seven innings. The charismatic batter would aim to convert his starts into a substantial score against the Renegades.
- Best Bowler: Tom Rogers
- Tom Rogers, with seven wickets at an average of 33 and an economy rate of 8.50 in eight games, will play a crucial role with the new ball. Making early breakthroughs will be essential for the Stars’ bowling strategy.
The Melbourne Derby promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams looking to make an impact in this edition of the BBL.
