The second half of the Big Bash League double header on Saturday takes us to Melbourne for the second city derby of the season as the Melbourne Renegades take on their rivals Melbourne Stars in a huge clash for both teams.
These two sides are very much in the shake up to finish in the top four come the end of the season with the Stars better placed of the two but that could quickly change should the Renegades complete the double over the men in green here.
Melbourne Renegades
The Melbourne Renegades were in danger of seeing this season pass them by when they had only won one of their five four matches this term but they have clicked into gear just when they needed it and given that they have a game in hand of the three teams who are second to fourth, just two points above them, you can certainly say that they are in control of their own destiny now, if not quite favourites to break into that top four and extend their season.
The Renegades have won their last two but you would have to say they have ridden their luck in them and could easily have lost both so they still need to find a little more, particularly with the bat, if they are going to get the job done in this match. They have what it takes with the ball in hand to get the job done here but their batting has been full of individual efforts and cameos so far rather than collective efforts and you feel that needs to change.
Melbourne Stars
The Melbourne Stars were the early pacesetters in this tournament but they have come off their form big time in recent weeks. After winning their opening four matches, they now head across the city having lost their last three matches and largely they haven’t really been competitive for much of any of those games so they really need to get back to putting in complete performances. They are still in control of their destiny, and a win here will move them up to second in the table, but defeat opens the door to lots of others.
The Stars have this weird record of having won every game that they have chased in this season and lost every match that they have batted first in, including the reverse meeting between these two. That is clearly something that has to change moving forward if they are going to win this competition but in terms of the first game between these sides, the Renegades came from the clouds in the final over to get the job done so the Stars won’t need too much to turn the tables on them.
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Key Players
Josh Brown has threatened to catch fire in this tournament so far but he hasn’t actually gone through with his potential yet. In a Melbourne derby with their season in the balance now would be the perfect time for him to come good.
Sam Harper is the leading run scorer in the competition and although he has quietened down in recent times, the Melbourne Stars will be hoping that their opening batter has saved a big innings for the derby when they need it.
Betting
The Melbourne Stars are certainly not in great form but if you look at their three defeats, the first two of them contained sixes in the final over as the Stars were beaten at the death so they could easily have won those two matches. On the flip side of that, if you look at the two Melbourne Renegades wins, both have had sixes in the final over so while you give them credit for finding a way to get over the line in tight matches, they could easily have lost both matches.
The big difference maker for me here is the fact that Oliver Peake has left for the Under-19 World Cup. He has been a big player for the Melbourne Renegades in that middle order this term and his absence leaves a gaping hole in what wasn’t the longest batting line up to begin with. Melbourne Stars have no issues with that. They bat very deep and have plenty of solid bowling options. While the form is with the Renegades, lots of matches could have gone either way. I don’t think this one does though. I expect a Stars win here.
Tips
Back Melbourne Stars to beat Melbourne Renegades for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Boylesports
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