The BBL14 season continues on Saturday night with the first of the Melbourne Derby games seeing the Stars hosting the Renegades from the MCG. Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
BBL14 Stars vs Renegades Betting Tips
MCG, Saturday 4th January, 7.15pm (AEDT)
Stars
As we predicted, the Stars captured their first win of the season on Wednesday night as they travelled to Brisbane and took down the Heat by five wickets. Bowling first, the Stars kept their opponents to a manageable score of 7/149 off their 20 overs, led by a brilliant three over spell from Usama Mir, who claimed 1/17. Joel Paris was also impressive, taking 1/20 off his four overs.
The Stars lost three quick wickets of Ben Duckett, Tom Rogers and Sam Harper in their batting innings to fall to 3/14. Englishman Dan Lawrence (64 off 38) and skipper Marcus Stoinis (62 off 48) then blasted a 132 run partnership for the fourth wicket to help steer the Stars home with 11 balls to spare. With Beau Webster unavailable due to Test selection, expect the Stars to be unchanged here.
Predicted XI: Ben Duckett, Tom Rogers, Dan Lawrence, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Harper, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, Peter Siddle
Renegades
After winning two of their first three games, the Renegades have lost their last two on the spin to fall to sixth on the BBL14 table. Batting first against the Strikers in their last clash, the Renegades put on 9/142 off their 20 overs, led by recruit Josh Brown, who belted 66 off 41 balls at the top of the order.
With the ball, the Renegades struggled to contain the hard hitting Chris Lynn, who scored 88 off 51 balls to lead the Strikers to a comfortable five wicket win with 17 balls to spare. Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers for the Stars, taking 2/29 off his four overs. The Renegades will likely be unchanged going into this clash as well.
Predicted XI: Josh Brown, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tim Seifert, Jacob Bethall, Laurie Evans, Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Fergus O’Neil, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa
Prediction
I think the Stars found some valuable form in their win over the Heat on Wednesday night and look primed to go on a little run here. Dan Lawrence adds another dimension with the bat and takes some of the pressure off the shoulders of Stoinis/Maxwell. Ben Duckett missed out against the Heat but he has also been in terrific form, so I can see them putting up a big score here at the MCG.
Back the Stars to win their 2nd straight game here.
Player Prop
The Renegades top order has dropped off a little over the last few games, with Fraser-McGurk, Bethell and Seifert all struggling for runs. I think Mackenzie Harvey should get a good opportunity here and he has a great record at the G where shot placement and quickness between the wickets is arguably more important than power.
In six innings at the G, Harvey has scored 133 runs at an average fo 40.75. His record against the Stars is also better than any other opponent, having scored 192 runs in eight innings at an average of 38.4.
Harvey Top REN Runscorer
$9.25
