The second Melbourne derby of the season is upon us in the Big Bash League on Saturday and for the Melbourne Renegades it is simply a match they can not afford to lose if they are to make the semi-finals.
The Stars have a little more breathing room but rather than thinking of being in the semi-finals I would imagine they are now looking at hosting one. In order for that to materialise they could do with winning this with the Strikers already blazing a trail at the top.
Melbourne Renegades have only won two of their five matches this season. They won their first game in Brisbane and their latest game in Hobart but in between were lambs to the slaughter in three pretty comfortable defeats, including the first Melbourne derby.
There was plenty of fallout from the Hobart win with Chris Gayle being pilloried after the interview he gave during the game so quite how much focus the Renegades have been able to put on their cricket remains to be seen.
Since the last game Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade have departed to the Australia ODI squad. Peter Nevill comes into the ranks after his Test exploits but there is still no Peter Siddle or James Pattinson despite neither being in the ODI squad which is a shame.
The Stars dropped their opening two matches but they have bounced back from that with three wins on the bounce and they go into this match fully firing with both bat and ball which will give them plenty of confidence.
Like the Renegades the Stars have seen key men depart. Glenn Maxwell, Scott Boland and James Faulkner have headed off on Australia duty so Rob Quiney and Ben Hilfenhaus return to the squad for this match.
A sell-out crowd is expected at the Etihad Stadium so this is one of the highest profile matches of the season. Both sides are without key players here but I feel the Melbourne Stars have the better back up of the two.
Of course we can’t rule out Chris Gayle doing something bonkers but he’s under a bit of a cloud here so I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls cheaply or even worse if he is omitted with a phantom injury.
Usually at this stage of the season the Stars slide away when their ODI players leave but they’ve realised this and made sure they have strength in depth. They still have the better bowling attack of the two and their batting is in good order so I’m with the Stars here.
Back Melbourne Stars to beat Melbourne Renegades for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
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