Big Melbourne Derby Preview

Fireworks are expected to ignite when the pair resume on-field hostilities at the MCG.

The cross-town rivals have been at each other’s throats since the start of the competition, with the Renegades firing the opening salvo courtesy of an eight-wicket victory during their season opener at Etihad Stadium.

An unbeaten century from skipper Aaron Finch, the KFC T20 Big Bash League’s leading run-scorer, provided the impetus for victory on that occasion and sparked a stunning run which has provided the Renegades with a one game cushion on the remainder of the field with a 5-1 record and just two rounds to play.

The Stars remain their closest challenger after riding a four-game winning streak that came to an end last night at the hands of Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

Despite the setback, the Stars can leapfrog the Renegades into first place with victory on the weekend, with both sides desperate to cement their positions in the semi-finals.

The stats that matter:

• The Stars, along with the Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes, remain as the only unbeaten teams at home this season. The Stars have two matches at the MCG to finish BBL|02 and wins in both will ensure they play a BIG SEMI FINAL at home;
• The Stars’ Brad Hodge has closed the gap on teammate David Hussey at the top of the world’s Twenty20 career run-scorers’ list. Hussey sits at number one, leading Hodge by 22 runs (4766 to 4744);
• The Renegades’ Aaron Finch, Ben Rohrer and Tom Cooper are currently the most productive batting trio in the league. They’ve scored 563 runs. The Stars’ top-three run scorers (Hodge, Glenn Maxwell and Hussey) have combined for 443;
• The Renegades’ spinners Muttiah Muralitharan, Marlon Samuels and Aaron O’Brien are serious threats with the ball. Muralitharan is equal fourth on the wicket takers’ list and has the second best economy rate), Samuels is equal seventh (wickets) and eighth (economy) and O’Brien is equal seventh (wickets) and 10th (economy); and
• Stars strike weapon Lasith Malinga leads both categories with 13 wickets (equal first) at an economy rate of 4.95 (first) in six matches.

Play commences at the MCG from 7pm on Sunday, with the Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit playing New South Wales in a WT20 curtain-raiser from 3pm.

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