Big Bash League 2019 Match 30, Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Defending champions Melbourne Renegades will host points table toppers Melbourne Stars for the second Melbourne Derby of the year, at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. The Renegades have lost all 7 of their matches so far, while the Stars have won 6 of their 7.

However, all is not over for them. Five teams have won 3 matches each (of them, Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder have an extra point due to a called-off match), which means that the Renegades can still catch up.

However, for that they have to pull up on both fronts. Kane Richardson has both cut down runs and picked up wickets, but barring Cameron Boyce, there has been little support for him. With bat, too, only Sam Harper and Beau Webster have struck at over 140. Someone needs to step up.

On the other hand, there is no such problem for Stars, who boast of an attack so strong that they can afford to leave Dale Steyn out. Marcus Stoinis is the leading run-scorer of the tournament, Haris Rauf has most wickets, Glenn Maxwell has been explosive, and Nathan Coulter-Nile has emerged as a most unexpected all-rounder.

The Stars had won the Melbourne Derby earlier this season as well, by 8 wickets at The G, and it is likely that this would witness them win by a similar margin.

Head to head

The Stars have won 12 Melbourne Derby matches (including 1 earlier this season) and lost 5.

Key players

Sam Harper (Melbourne Renegades): The only Renegades batsman to strike at over 150 this season, Harper has been a revelation on either side of the stumps. His ability to hit big will be put to test by the Stars bowlers, especially Rauf.

Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars): The Stars had decided to leave Rauf once Steyn arrived. Rauf, determined to prove the management wrong, rose to the second place on the wickets chart at breakneck pace. He also picked up a hat-trick in his last match.

Likely XIs

Melbourne Renegades: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch (c), Sam Harper (wk), Shaun Marsh, Beau Webster, Dan Christian, Samit Patel, Will Sutherland, Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson, Richard Gleeson.

Melbourne Stars: Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Peter Handscomb (wk), Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Haris Rauf, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Prediction

The Stars to win again.