Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash
Melbourne Renegades will host Melbourne Stars in match 41 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 7.30pm local time (8.30am GMT) on Saturday, January 14.
The game will be played at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Melbourne Renegades are right in the hunt for a post-season place. They are one of three teams on 10 points, and currently sit fifth. The Gades were beaten by Adelaide Strikers in their most recent outing.
Coincidentally, Melbourne Stars' most recent fixture was also the Strikers, and they did much better than their cross-Melbourne rivals, recording an emphatic win at the MCG. That success, which came with a massive net run rate boost, means they are still in the hunt for a spot in the knockouts, but they have to keep winnings.
With the bat, Aaron Finch is the leading runscorer for the Renegades in 2022/23, but his 244 runs have come at a sluggish strike rate of 109. Sam Harper has 179, hitting above 160. For the Stars, Joe Clarke is one of only two players to hit a BBL12 century. Tom Rogers made his maiden BBL half-century in the win over the strikers.
With the ball, two of the tournament's leading wicket-takers feature in this game. Tom Rogers - the Renegades' version - has 17, while the Stars' Luke Wood has 16. Liam Hatcher and Nathan Coulter-Nile have both been going at less than 7 per over for the Stars across the season.
Sam Harper has been in good form for Melbourne Renegades [Getty Images]
Getting rid of Sam Harper cheaply looks like opening the door to a win for Melbourne Stars. Harper has come into a rich vein of form recently, with half-centuries in each of his past two visits to the crease, and has been the key part of the Renegades' top order. With Marcus Harris absent, he will presumably be promoted to open the innings - and the new-ball contest will be critical. Don't be surprised to see Adam Zampa back himself to take Harper on early.
Hot. Temperatures expected to touch 35 degrees Celsius around the start of play. Very little chance of rain.
Fawad Ahmed replaces Marcus Harris in the Melbourne Renegades squad. The Gades could look to play several spinners, with Ruwantha Kellapotha and Matt Critchley also included.
Marcus Stoinis continues to miss out for Melbourne Stars with a hamstring problem. The Stars have named Tom O'Donnell as a local replacement.
Melbourne Renegades: Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Jack Prestwidge, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Marcus Harris, Martin Guptill (replacing Liam Livingstone, 10 group matches and finals), Corey Rocchiccioli, Peter Handscomb, Fawad Ahmed (injury replacement for Shaun Marsh), Matt Critchley (overseas replacement from January 9), David Moody
Melbourne Stars: Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Campbell Kellaway, Tom O'Connell, Sam Elliott, Cam McClure, James Seymour (local replacement player), Tom O'Donnell (local replacement)
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Luke Wood has 16 Big Bash wickets this season [Getty Images]
Melbourne Renegades: Martin Guptill, Sam Harper, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Finch, Jon Wells, Matt Critchley, Will Sutherland, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, David Moody, Fawad Ahmed
Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Nick Larkin, James Seymour, Clint Hinchcliffe, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Wood, Liam Hatcher, Adam Zampa
Melbourne Stars are underdogs with the bookmakers, with a best price available of 6/5. Melbourne Renegades are favourites at 10/11 in places.
Melbourne Stars go into this game with confidence and momentum after their demolition of Adelaide Strikers, but the Renegades' bowling attack will present a stern test. A narrow Gades victory.
Yes. Tickets are available from $5 for children and $23 for adults, and can be bought via Ticketmaster.
Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.
Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia, while coverage will also be available via the streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game, while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.
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