We preview Friday’s Melbourne Derby as the Renegades welcome the Stars to the Docklands Stadium in Big Bash action.
The two Melbourne clubs have endured vastly differing campaigns this season with the green half of the city set to miss the semi-finals for the first time since inception of the tournament.
The Renegades on the other hand sit in third place on the ladder and will look to take a giant leap toward the semi-finals with a win over their neighbours on Friday.
Renegades vs Stars | Friday 12 January | Docklands Stadium, Melbourne | 10:35
To Win Match
Renegades 67/100 | Tie 35/1 | Stars 5/4
Melbourne Renegades
Of course, the loss of Aaron Finch to the national set-up is less than ideal. However, the Renegades have plenty of batting talent in their side to offset losing the burly opener. I’m not sure who will take up the captaincy role with Cameron White also called up to the ODI squad following Chirs Lynn’s injury. One thing we do know is that the talented Tim Ludeman will likely open things up with Marcus Harris at the top of the order.
David Saker would’ve been pretty annoyed with his charges after losing out against the Scorchers last time out. Much has been made about how weak the Perth club’s batting line-up is, so to lose after posting 185 would have been pretty frustrating.
To be fair, it took a once-in-competition innings Ashton Turner as he blasted a 32-ball 70 to lead the Scorchers home. The 24-year-old tucked into the Renegades bowlers, hitting five sixes and three fours, taking apart an all-star attack comprised of the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson and the evergreen Brad Hogg.
Indeed the bowlers will need to deal with the pressure a bit better come Friday. Especially if one of the Stars big name batsmen comes to the party. The last thing they’ll need is a Glenn Maxwell or a Kevin Pietersen getting away and making a big score.
Melbourne Stars
Where to now for the beleaguered Melbourne Stars? They were easily rolled over by the Adelaide Strikers in their fifth straight defeat of the competition on Tuesday. To compound issues, that loss also sounded the end of their hopes of reaching their seventh straight semi-final.
There were a few silver linings in the last outing as Marcus Stoinis continues to impress in an opening role while Maxwell looks to be getting back to his best. The latter was magnificent last time out as he raced to a 39-ball 60 before being caught by Travis Head off the bowling of Peter Siddle.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to Pietersen dropped for the next fixture. He’s already said that this will be his last Big Bash as his career winds down. His dismissal on Tuesday would have infuriated Stephen Flemming as the Englishman got out trying to mindlessly slog a straight Billy Stanlake delivery over the offside.
The Stars’ need to dig deep going forward now. With nothing left to play for they need to find a bit of inspiration from somewhere. There’s no doubt that there is more than enough talent in this side to win their remaining games. Whether or not the desire is there is a different story.
Verdict: Melbourne Renegades 67/100
There’s only one winner here, and that’s the Renegades. They’ve been one of the better teams in the competition this season and shouldn’t really have much trouble grabbing a win over a Stars outfit who have nothing left to play for this season.
