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 Stars take on Melbourne Renegades in match 27 of BBL12, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Tuesday, January 3.
The game is being played in Melbourne at the MCG.
Two teams languishing in lower midtable at the halfway stage of the group phase. Renegades have lost their last four; Stars have won two in five.
In Aaron Finch and Joe Clarke, both sides have a batter in form: Finch has dropped down the order and has marshalled innings from the middle of the innings at a slower strike rate but with greater consistency - only two men have scored more runs so far this season. Clarke has the only hundred of the 2022/23 tournament so far, an unbeaten 101 against Hobart Hurricanes.
Finch has also taken over the Renegades captaincy from Nic Maddinson, who went over on his knee in the defeat by Perth Scorchers and has ruptured his ACL. Until then, the left-hander had become the first player in Big Bash history to fall for scores under three in five consecutive games.
Akeal Hosein, the West Indies left-arm spinner, has been an astute addition by Renegades; he has 12 wickets in seven games to be the most prolific spinner in this year's competition so far.
Joe Clarke is key for Stars (Mark Brake/Getty Images)
There is plenty riding on both Clarke and Marcus Stoinis in Stars' batting line-up, particularly with Glenn Maxwell's broken leg restricting him to a watching brief.
Stars have won just twice in six matches so far: only Beau Webster and Hilton Cartwright have joined Clarke in making more than 100 runs so far in this campaign.
With the ball, Adam Zampa has taken over as captain from Maxwell and has left-armers Trent Boult and Luke Wood at his disposal. Wood is Stars' leading wicket-taker with 11 in six games; Boult has been more economical but less prolific.
Andre Russell's stint as an overseas player is over, while Martin Guptill's three appearances so far have only garnered 18 runs in 31 balls. Peter Handscomb, likewise, is struggling: he is averaging 5.66.
However, the most intriguing battle, no doubt, is between the two Tom Rogers: Stars' Rogers opens the batting, Renegades' Rogers has 10 wickets in seven matches.
A cloudy day is forecast in Melbourne, with highs of 18 degrees Celsius.
Maddinson's season is done after going over on his knee - scans have revealed an ACL rupture - and Handscomb has been dropped for the Melbourne derby for Finch's first game back as captain. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Jack Prestwidge have been added to Renegades' squad for the fixture.
Stars have named an unchanged 16-man squad.
Melbourne Stars: Trent Boult, Joe Burns (injured), Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Campbell Kellaway, Tom O'Connell, Sam Elliott, Cam McClure, James Seymour (local replacement player)
Melbourne Renegades: Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Akeal Hosein, Liam Livingstone (withdrawn), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Nic Maddinson (c), Shaun Marsh, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Jack Prestwidge, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Marcus Harris, Andre Russell (replacing Liam Livingstone, first four matches only), Martin Guptill (replacing Liam Livingstone, 10 group matches and finals), Corey Rocchiccioli, Peter Handscomb
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, Campbell Kellaway, Luke Wood, Trent Boult, Liam Hatcher, Adam Zampa
Melbourne Renegades: Martin Guptill, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Jon Wells, Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland, Akeal Hosein, Tom Rogers, Kane Williamson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Nic Maddinson's season is over (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Melbourne Stars start as narrow favourites with the bookies. They are available at 9/10, while Renegades are at 68/67.
Renegades look a more complete side, even with the season-ending injury to their captain. They will be confident of ending their four-game losing streak.
Yes. Tickets are available on Ticketek, with general admission starting from $5.
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 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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