The first of the Big Bash League derbies will see Melbourne Stars host Melbourne Renegades at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
We’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action throughout the game, with the match starting at 7.00 pm AEDT on January 7.
While Shane Warne should win the battle of popularity for his Stars, the Renegades are two points above them in the table. Another loss for the hosts Stars will push them to the bottom of the table and leave them without a lot of chance to make it to the knock-out stage.
The Renegades went down in each of their first two games but the return of Brad Hodge to the team and Shahid Afridi to form has been the cornerstone of their change of fortune. He scored a 31-ball 44 in his opener that was followed by a match-winning, unbeaten 72.
Afridi did not have the best of starts either but his performances mirror his side’s results. No wickets in the first two games and an economy rate of eight overs were followed by figures of 1/23 and 3/21 in the next couple.
Stars notched up their only win against Brisbane on the back of a superb near-century by Rob Quiney. But to be fair to them, they could easily have won at least one of two other games.
Losses by two and eight runs signify a touch of misfortune for the losing team.
James Faulkner’s seven wickets in the competition has been a standout for the Stars, overshadowed only by Warne’s ‘commentary stints’ from the bowling crease, rightfully portending a wicket for him.
Captain Cameron White promoted himself to the top of the innings last game but another single-digit score ensued. He has seven runs from four matches and unless he starts getting some big ones, it will become difficult to justify his place in the side.
David Hussey is the man in form for Stars while wicket-keeper Matthew Wade looked to be coming into his own last game.
The Renegades will go into the game as favourites in this game. However, given the presence of the heavyweights in the two squads, one can expect a highly entertaining battle irrespective of the result.
We will bring you the coverage throughout the game from the Melbourne Cricket Ground from 7.00 pm AEDT and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
tahirhabibalvi
Guest
either afridi team wins or not afridi is stil the best proud of booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom afrdii may he always be kamyab ameen
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And that is the end of that. Rain has had the final say and the match has had to be called off. Stars were ahead by 11 runs at the 8.1 over stage according to the D/L system and they have been declared the winners. Stars have two wins from five matches, as have the Renegades. Tomorrow there are two games in the BBL, the Sydney derby between the Sixers and Thunder, followed by Perth Scorchers taking on Adelaide Strikers. Make sure to join us.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Good news for some...and no its not related to the rain. More than 40k fans in the stadium, which is easily the best in the tournament so far.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Still drizzling and no play at Melbourne. The covers are still on. Its been 20 minutes lost already, which means that they have already lost five overs by my calculations.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
All I can is that it is still raining. And that the Renegades are behind on the Duckworth-Lewis target. If Stars go on to win this game, they will be at par with the Renegades with two wins in five games. Will spice up the points table further. Hobart are at the top of the table with four wins from five games, followed by Perth (3 from 4) and Adelaide, Thunder and Renegades (2 from four).
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The umpire Simon Fry is speaking to the broadcaster and he says that the situation currently isn't too good. Once the rains stops, they need 10 minutes to get things back on track. Overs are already reducing every four minutes.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Par score after 8.1 overs is 3/69. They are 3/58.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
...and yep, they are coming off now. It is not only about being able to play in the rains, but also about the pitch changing its nature drastically under the shower.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
If you ask me, it looks like it is raining heavier than what it was when they went off...
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
OUT!!! Warne gets a wicket in his first over! It was the last ball of the over and not too many had come off it - only four from five. Maxwell cut hard and it went straight to the point fielder and the batsman is on his way. 3/57 in 8.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Warne's miked up and speaking to the commentators. Says the rain is a tad heavier and he needs to dry the ball every delivery.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
2/53 in seven and Warne's on. Six runs off the previous over from Clint McKay
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Duckworth-Lewis says that after the par score after seven overs needs to be 2/57. And unless you weren't too inclined towards cricket in 2003 when South Africa crashed out of the World Cup, it means that Renegades need to be at 2/58 to win it after seven overs. If rain stops play now.
Kim
Guest
Joined the match late... Why are some of the players wearing rainbow wristbands? Thanks
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Faulkner ends his first over and concedes eight. 2/47 in six overs and the Renegades are keeping themselves abreast of the run-rate. We should now see Shane Warne come on any time...
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Bird bowls his third over in succession and gives away only six runs. 1/18 from his three overs and he has done an excellent job. 2/39 in five overs, last Powerplay over to be bowled by James Faulkner. Hussey was taken for 16 in his previous over. And now that five overs have been bowled, we will have a result in this game even if the game was washed out.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Hussey conceded a single and scalped a wicket off the first two balls. But he has gone for aplenty off the next four balls, two fours, a three, a no-ball and a brace means that it is 16 off that over. 2/33 in four.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And even as I typed the previous update, they give me the updated update! 162 from 19 overs is the new target.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
No updates on any changed target, so we are on the assumption that the Renegades still have their full quota of 20 overs.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
OUT!!! Hodge is stumped. He was looking a bit edgy at the crease. Beaten once by Bird, then shuffled to get a four but this time Hussey gets him out stumped. Charged but missed the ball completely. Target becomes tougher. 2/17 in 3.1