Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
BBL09 Match 30: MR vs MS Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MR vs MS Dream11 | BBL09 Match Prediction Today | Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Prediction Today| Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Key Players | MR vs MS Dream11 Prediction
One Melbourne side is top. The other is bottom, without a win in seven.
Worse, the Melbourne Renegades are defending champions. Even more worse is that they rarely looked like winning throughout the tournament, with batting collapses and key fielding blunders plaguing what has been a forgettable season to date.
And it doesn’t get any easier. They are without Aaron Finch and Kane Richardson, who are now on ODI duty for Australia, against BBL09 form team Melbourne Stars. Unlike last season, the Stars will keep Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, who were both overlooked for Australia’s tour of India.
This the second Melbourne Derby in less than a week. Will it be another one-sided game?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
- Marcus Stoinis loves the Renegades. He scored 68* against them last week, part of 322 runs overall vs Renegades at an average of 83.00.
- Also, Stoinis is the BBL09 top run-scorer. He has three straight 50+ scores.
- There is no Aaron Finch for the Renegades. So, Shaun Marsh (235 runs in BBL09) and the impressive Beau Webster (236 runs) will be key players.
- Glenn Maxwell’s last two scores: 40* (32) vs Renegades and a clinical, brilliant 59* (37) vs Thunder.
- Sam Harper’s last three scores in BBL09: 45 (24), 12 (8), 73 (46). Can he step up against the strong Stars attack?
- Ben Dunk could open the batting as Nic Maddinson is out with a shoulder injury. He has 151 runs vs Renegades in six games. Can he build on starts against them?
- Everyone is looking forward to watching Haris Rauf. The hat-trick hero vs Thunder has an incredible 13 wickets in four games in BBL09.
- There will be no Adam Zampa due to ODI duty, but Sandeep Lamichhane will be one to watch. He took 3/26 vs Renegades last week.
- Nathan Coulter-Nile: Key bowler, fielder and possible pinch-hitter for the Stars. His 1/16 and catch last game vs Thunder was a good outing.
- Dan Christian will lead the Renegades in the absence of Finch. It’s now or never for Christian, who must deliver with bat and ball to give his team a chance.
- Richard Gleeson is coming off three wickets last game in what has been an otherwise disappointing campaign. He needs to follow up well.
- Cameron Boyce’s last four games at Docklands: 2/33, 2/30, 2/18, 2/31.
Head-to-Head
- Matches 17, Renegades 5, Stars 12.
- Melbourne Stars won the previous meeting easily six days ago; by eight wickets.
Key to a Melbourne Renegades win
Their leading wicket-taker (Kane Richardson) and captain (Aaron Finch) are both missing. So where will the Renegades find their inspiration?
On the batting front, Sam Harper, Shaun Marsh, Beau Webster and Dan Christian are the key men to watch with Marcus Harris and Tom Cooper are out of form. Can they get the better of the Stars attack, and avoid an awful collapse; the kind we saw a week ago?
On the bowling front, Cameron Boyce, Samit Patel and Richard Gleeson have a responsibility to lead a Richardson-less attack. Also, skipper Christian will be needed to chip in with effective overs. Can the Renegades expose a Stars middle order that has been a little short on time this season?

Key to a Melbourne Stars win
The Stars’ bowling template has been set for BBL09. Glenn Maxwell can deliver cheap overs in the powerplay, with the seamers looking to strike from the other end. Then, the wrist-spinners and Haris Rauf look to do their magic in the middle overs, before Rauf finishes off with a bang. Adam Zampa will be missing from this one, but the Stars attack still looks in good shape.
So does their top order, with Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell in particular in good form. Ben Dunk and Nick Larkin also have an opportunity to impress, as there is a chance to pounce on an opponent so low on confidence.

Possible Playing 11
Four changes have been made to the Melbourne Renegades’ 13-man squad. Aaron Finch and Kane Richardson are on ODI duty. Tom Andrews and Andrew Fekete are also out of the squad. In come Tom Cooper, Joe Mennie, Luke Robbins and Jack Wildermuth.
Melbourne Renegades: 1. Sam Harper (wk), 2. Marcus Harris, 3. Shaun Marsh, 4. Beau Webster, 5. Tom Cooper, 6. Daniel Christian (c), 7. Samit Patel, 8. Jack Wildermuth, 9. Cameron Boyce, 10. Joe Mennie, 11. Richard Gleeson
Nic Maddinson is out with a shoulder injury. Adam Zampa and Peter Handscomb are on ODI duty for Australia. So, a total of three changes will be made to the Stars XI.
Melbourne Stars: 1. Ben Dunk, 2. Marcus Stoinis, 3. Nick Larkin, 4. Glenn Maxwell (c), 5. Hilton Cartwright, 6. Seb Gotch (wk), 7. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 8. Clint Hinchliffe, 9. Daniel Worrall, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Sandeep Lamichhane
Marvel Stadium Pitch Report and Conditions
There is a high chance of rain in the afternoon and evening in Melbourne. However, Marvel Stadium has a roof, so it will come handy.
The average first innings score in BBL09 at Marvel Stadium is 154 in two games. The pitch is often on the slow side, and the outfield has been very slow this season. 160+ could be a tough score to chase.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:

Option 2:

Also read: Dream11 content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:
- 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
- MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
- Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision
Match Prediction
Melbourne Renegades have been in awful form. But, does form go out the window in a Derby?
Given the significant lack of confidence in the Renegades team, plus the loss of Finch and Richardson, it might be too difficult to overcome the likes of Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Haris Rauf and the rest of the Stars’ attack.
Stars to win.
Thanks for reading!