MS vs MR Match Analysis
The 22nd clash of BBL 2025-26 takes center stage at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades will battle for crucial points. With the tournament in full swing, this fixture could tilt the mid-table dynamics and set momentum for the Stars in the second half of the league.
Melbourne Stars enter this game on the back of a four-win streak, though they fell just short against Brisbane Heat in their last outing, chasing 196 but finishing at 195/6. Marcus Stoinis’s leadership and batting form will be central, while the Stars aim to iron out minor lapses in death-over execution.
Melbourne Renegades have struggled to find consistency lately, winning two and losing three of their last five matches. Their last match saw a 164-run total chased down by Sydney Sixers, highlighting vulnerabilities in the middle order. Josh Brown’s batting and Gurinder Sandhu’s bowling remain their biggest trump cards.
Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades Match Details
Match | Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades | 22nd Match | Big Bash League 2025-26 |
Date | 04/01/2026 (Sunday) |
Time | BDT 1:05 PM / PKT 12:05 PM / INR 12:35 PM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
Recent performance | Melbourne Stars – W W W W L |
Live Streaming Details | Click here to watch the Live Stream on Sports Live Hub (SLH) |
Melbourne Cricket Ground Pitch Report
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The MCG pitch offers an equitable contest between bat and ball. Pacers get early movement and bounce, while the surface eases into stroke-making after the first few overs. Teams batting first often post competitive totals around 180–200, while chasing sides benefit from the predictable bounce, provided they handle the new-ball movement well.
Weather Report
Expect a warm Melbourne afternoon with highs reaching 30°C and lows around 16°C. A slight chance of late showers exists, and dew could play a minor role if the game extends into the evening. Teams winning the toss might weigh chasing under potential dew against setting a total first.
MS vs MR Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 28 |
MS Won | 18 |
MR Won | 10 |
Tied | 0 |
No Result | 0 |
First-ever Fixture | January 6, 2012 |
Most-recent Fixture | January 12, 2025 |
Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades Team Preview & Squads
Melbourne Stars
Captain Marcus Stoinis remains the linchpin for Melbourne Stars, blending aggressive batting with astute tactical choices. His ability to anchor innings while accelerating in the final overs is critical against a Renegades bowling attack that can exploit loose shots.
The batting depth is solid, with Stoinis at the top, supported by Glenn Maxwell’s finishing prowess. While they occasionally falter against disciplined pace in death overs, Stars have shown they can recover thanks to versatile strokeplay and experienced campaigners like Hilton Cartwright and Joe Clarke.
Bowling and all-round strength come from Peter Siddle’s consistent seam work and Maxwell’s utility with the ball. The Stars rely on their pacers for early breakthroughs and spinners like Mitchell Swepson to maintain control in the middle overs. If the all-rounders fire, they can set or chase totals efficiently.
Melbourne Stars Squad
Melbourne Stars Squad
Marcus Stoinis, Austin Anlezark, Aryan Sharma, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Jonathan Merlo, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Tom Whitney
Melbourne Renegades
Will Sutherland leads from the front, providing balance with both bat and ball. His captaincy is proactive, often mixing pace and spin to unsettle batters. Sutherland’s all-round contributions are vital given the team’s inconsistent performances.
Josh Brown anchors the batting, capable of explosive innings but reliant on support from middle-order batters. Recent losses highlight the Renegades’ vulnerability to disciplined bowling attacks, particularly when early wickets fall. Depth in batting is critical if they are to compete with the Stars’ formidable lineup.
Bowling options feature Gurinder Sandhu, a key wicket-taker, backed by Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye. Spin options from Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon offer control in the middle overs, but defending totals over 180 could challenge their consistency. All-round contributions will likely decide the tight moments.
Melbourne Renegades Squad
Melbourne Renegades Squad
Will Sutherland, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Brendan Doggett, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Hassan Khan, Caleb Jewell, Nathan Lyon, Mohammad Rizwan, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Tom Rogers, William Salzmann, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert, Matthew Spoors, Callum Stow, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
MS vs MR Prediction
Event | Melbourne Stars | Melbourne Renegades |
Toss Winner | Melbourne Stars | – |
Player of the Match | Marcus Stoinis | – |
Top Run Scorer | Marcus Stoinis | Josh Brown |
Top Wicket Taker | Peter Siddle | Gurinder Sandhu |
Most Sixes | Marcus Stoinis | Josh Brown |
Predicted Score | 200+ | 170+ |
Win Probability | 60% | 40% |
According to cricket analysts Melbourne Stars have a 60% chance of Winning.
Disclaimer: This cricket prediction reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. We encourage readers to review the points shared and draw their own conclusions.
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