Last Updated on 7 months by Charbel Coorey

STA vs REN Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report: BBL 2021/22 Match 33 | STA vs REN Dream11 Prediction Today | Stars vs Renegades Key Players | MCG Pitch Report

With Melbourne Stars ravaged by COVID-19 and Melbourne Renegades stuck at the bottom of the BBL 11 table, there is a bit of a sombre feel around this edition of the Melbourne Derby.

And it has got even worse for the Stars, with Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers testing positive for COVID-19.

Nonetheless, it is a crucial encounter for both teams. The Renegades are in must-win territory with just one win from their first seven games. Their last encounter was a washout in Coffs Harbour, but if we’re being honest, they were rank outsiders against the high-flying Sydney Sixers. They welcome back Shaun Marsh for this clash, and have Nic Maddinson available in what looks a much more experienced batting lineup.

Renegades start as heavy favourites in this clash, especially with the news that Rogers and Clarke are out with COVID. They have won just three of 10 matches vs Stars at the MCG, and need to be on their game to ensure a positive result.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Melbourne Stars:

• So much depends on Glenn Maxwell. The skipper was out cheaply yesterday vs Scorchers (2), so he will be looking to bounce back today. He has a strong record against the Renegades, with 444 runs in 17 innings at an average of 34.15 and strike rate of 146.05.
• Also, Maxwell scored a century on this ground earlier this season, vs Sixers.
• Hilton Cartwright is having a solid season: 7 inns, 215 runs, avg. 35.83, SR 149.30. Since the start of 2020, Cartwright has struck 51 runs vs Renegades at a strike rate of 164.52. He could open the batting today in the absence of Clarke and Rogers.
• The Stars will be well-served batting Cartwright up the order as he loves batting at the MCG. He has scored 285 runs in nine innings on this ground at an average of 71.25 and strike rate of 141.09.
• Brody Couch is the Stars’ leading wicket-taker this season with 11 scalps in seven matches at an average of 19.09 and economy rate of 8.75.
• Haris Rauf looked good at times in his BBL return yesterday (2/40), although he was a bit expensive. He has taken eight wickets in five matches at the MCG at an average of 15.25 and economy rate of 7.18.

Melbourne Renegades:

• Aaron Finch has the most runs in Stars-Renegades matches (513). He averages 39.46 and strikes at 142.11 vs Stars. Also, Finch has a superb T20 record at the MCG, with 779 runs in 24 innings at an average of 41.00 and strike rate of 141.64.
• Shaun Marsh is back in the Renegades squad and he has a terrific record against the Stars. In nine innings, he has struck 377 runs at an average of 47.13 and strike rate of 134.16.
• Marsh also has a solid record in T20s at the MCG: 10 inns, 298 runs, avg. 33.11, SR 123.14.
• Nic Maddinson is having a good domestic season, and the Renegades need him to fire consistently. He has a poor record in T20s at the MCG (249 runs, avg. 16.60, SR 123.27), so can he improve on this?
• Kane Richardson had a shocking outing in his last match vs Hurricanes (0/63). He has seven wickets in seven matches vs Stars, and he will be key in the death overs against an inexperienced Stars lineup today.
• Also, Richardson has taken 10 wickets in eight matches at the MCG at an average of 23.10 and economy rate of 8.01.
• Wrist-spinner Peter Hatzoglou was player of the match yesterday vs Stars, so watch out for Zahir Khan today. The left-arm wrist-spinner has taken eight wickets in seven matches this season at an average of 24.50 and economy rate of 8.52.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 20, Stars 14, Renegades 6.
• Mackenzie Harvey is the Renegades’ leading run-scorer this season (191 runs, avg. 38.20, SR 121.65). He scored a brilliant 47* off 21 balls in his last match vs Stars a year ago to lead the Renegades to a stunning win.
• Reece Topley took 2/17 in his last match vs Hurricanes.

Possible Playing 11

Melbourne Stars played a very inexperienced team against Scorchers, and will have an even more inexperienced team here without Joe Clarke.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Hilton Cartwright, 2. Justin Avendano, 3. Glenn Maxwell (c), 4. Charlie Wakim, 5. Travis Dean, 6. Tom O’Connell, 7. Patrick Rowe (wk), 8. Xavier Crone, 9. Qais Ahmed, 10. Brody Couch, 11. Haris Rauf

Melbourne Renegades have named their squad. Shaun Marsh is back, and Nic Maddinson is available. Reece Topley will be available until January 7 before he joins five other English players in flying back home from the BBL.

Also, James Pattinson is awaiting a result of his COVID-19 test, so we will know more about his availability soon before the match.

Melbourne Renegades: 1. Aaron Finch, 2. Shaun Marsh, 3. Sam Harper (wk), 4. Nic Maddinson (c), 5. Mackenzie Harvey/Jake Fraser-McGurk, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Will Sutherland, 8. James Pattinson/Jack Prestwidge, 9. Kane Richardson, 10. Zahir Khan, 11. Reece Topley

MCG Pitch Report and Weather

A cool and partly cloudy day is forecast for Melbourne today. The surface should be different to the lively one we saw in the Boxing Day Test where Scott Boland and Australia ripped through England.

In two BBL matches at the MCG this season, the average first innings score is 169. Both the team batting first and second have won a game each. Last time out, Sydney Sixers chased the Stars’ 177 thanks to Josh Philippe’s 99*.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

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You can pick more star players with Fan2Play thanks to lower credit scores.

• Wicket-keepers: Sam Harper
• Batsmen: Aaron Finch, Hilton Cartwright
• All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell
• Bowlers: Kane Richardson, Haris Rauf

Match Prediction

Renegades should win this one with the experience in their team. The Stars are just too decimated.