BBL07: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars, 26th Match Preview
Both teams will be without their key players, as they have been called for international matches.
Form guide this season
Melbourne Renegades are currently third on the ladder with four wins and two losses in six matches. However, they are coming into this match after losing to Perth Scorchers.
Melbourne Stars are last in the points table with the worst net run rate as they were not able to win a single match so far in the five games they had played.
Where
Melbourne Renegades going to host Melbourne Stars for the 26th match of BBL07 at The Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. Melbourne Renegades does not have a very good record on their home ground as they had lost three out of four matches last year and this year also they have won one out of two games, with the win being a very close encounter and led by Dwayne Bravo's 5-wicket haul.
Team news and squad changes
Both teams have to make two changes in their squads, as players have been called for international matches against England.
Melbourne Renegades: Aaron Finch and Cameron White have been called up to the Australian ODI squad so as their replacement, Matthew Short (Batter) and Beau Webster (All Rounder) are added to the Renegades squad.
Melbourne Stars: Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis have been released from the Stars' squad to join the Australian ODI squad and two spinners Liam Bowe and Daniel Fallins are included in the squad as their replacements.
Possible playing 11
For Melbourne Renegades, both the players added to their squad are expected to get a chance as the team is now lacking two batsmen. Hence, there should not be any place for bowlers like Jon Holland and Chris Tremain. Brad Hodge will be captaining the side in the absence of Aaron Finch.
Probable Playing XI: Matthew Short, Marcus Harris, Tom Cooper, Brad Hodge (c), Dwayne Bravo, Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Tim Ludeman (wk), Kane Richardson, Jack Wildermuth, Brad Hogg.
For Melbourne Stars, Luke Wright should be back into his role of the opener after missing the last game. The young leg-break bowler Daniel Fallins might get a chance over Liam Bowe as the latter had not been effective in his last match. Fallins has recently claimed a five-wicket haul in his maiden first-class match against England playing for CA XI. However, Daniel Worrall's (pacer) chances for making it to the XI can't be denied.
Probable Playing XI: Luke Wright, Ben Dunk, Kevin Pietersen, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb (wk), Seb Gotch, James Faulkner, John Hastings (c), Scott Boland, Jackson Coleman, Daniel Fallins/Liam Bowe/Daniel Worrall.
What to expect from the match
Now both teams are without their key players. The loss of Renegades seems bigger as they will be heading into this match without their two in-form batsmen. But in this season so far they have ticked almost all the boxes and have enough firepower to pull the match towards them even without Aaron Finch and Cameron White.
This season is no less than a nightmare for Melbourne Stars. Their bowling has been especially weak this season, and now they are without the services of Marcus Stoinis who is their highest run-getter (179 runs) and highest wicket-taker (5 wickets). However, they can take some positives from last matches as Glenn Maxwell returned to form with two fifties in last three matches and Kevin Pietersen also showed some glimpses of his form. But they have to bowl well to grab their first win of this season.
Players to watch out for
Tom Cooper: He is in fine form this year and also is the third highest run-getter for his team (143 runs). In absence of Aaron Finch and Cameron White, it will be the responsibility of Tom Cooper to make runs continuously for his side.
Kevin Pietersen: After he has announced that this BBL will be his last, he must be wanting to end it on a high note and his team also needs his to perform.
Announced squads of both teams:
Melbourne Renegades
Brad Hodge (c), Dwayne Bravo, Tom Cooper, Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, Matt Short, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Jack Wildermuth.
Melbourne Stars
John Hastings (c), Liam Bowe, Jackson Coleman, Ben Dunk, Daniel Fallins, James Faulkner, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen, Dan Worrall, Luke Wright.