Melbourne Derby: Stars vs Renegades Fantasy Preview & Pitch Report

The Big Bash League brings us one of the most anticipated clashes of the season, the Melbourne Derby! The Melbourne Stars host the Melbourne Renegades at the iconic MCG. The Stars are flying high with four consecutive wins, while the Renegades are struggling to find rhythm after three back to-back losses. This match is crucial for the Renegades to stay alive in the tournament, while the Stars will look to cement their top spot.

Match Details

• Match: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars (BBL T20)
• Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
• Date & Time: 04 Jan 2026, 18:05 Local Time

Weather and Pitch Report

Weather Forecast: Summer in Melbourne is in full swing. Expect a clear evening with temperatures hovering around 22°C to 25°C. Humidity will be moderate, and there is no significant chance of rain interrupting the game. A gentle breeze might help the swing bowlers early on.

Pitch Analysis: The MCG surface has been a paradise for batters recently, with an average score of 173 in the last five matches. However, the ground stats reveal a clear trend for fantasy managers: Pace is King here. Pacers have snapped up 50 wickets in the last five games compared to just 13 by spinners. The large boundaries allow batters to run twos and threes, but they also bring the outfielders into play for catches.

Team Form Guide

• Melbourne Stars: W W W W L (Excellent form, strong batting depth)
• Melbourne Renegades: L L L W W (Struggling recently, need top order to fire)

Key Fantasy Picks: Melbourne Stars

Marcus Stoinis (ALL) Stoinis is the MVP of the season so far. With 137 runs and 8 wickets in the series, he contributes in every department. His ability to bowl at the death and finish innings makes him a top captaincy candidate for your fantasy contests.

Sam Harper (WK) Harper is in the form of his life, smashing 231 runs in the series with a massive average of 103 fantasy points per game. He is aggressive and currently the most reliable batter in the Stars' lineup.

Tom Curran (ALL) Curran has been exceptional with the ball, taking 10 wickets in the series. He bowls the tough overs at the death, which increases his chances of picking up wickets. He is a must have for your bowling unit.

Haris Rauf (BOWL) The MCG is Rauf's home ground, and he loves the bounce here. With 10 wickets in the series, his raw pace troubles batters, especially in the powerplay and death overs.

Key Fantasy Picks: Melbourne Renegades

Tim Seifert (WK) Seifert has been the shining light for the Renegades, scoring 170 runs. He is an explosive opener who can take the game away quickly. Given the Stars' strong attack, Seifert's role will be crucial.

Will Sutherland (ALL) The Renegades skipper contributes with both bat and ball. He has 4 wickets and has chipped in with runs down the order. He is a safe pick for Mega Leagues due to his dual role.

Adam Zampa (BOWL) While spinners have taken fewer wickets at the MCG recently, Zampa is a world class bowler. He has 3 wickets in the series but maintains a good economy rate, which earns fantasy points. He is a key differential pick.

Captain and Vice Captain Choices

• Safe Captain: Marcus Stoinis
• Safe Vice Captain: Sam Harper
• Risky Captain: Tom Curran
• Differential Vice Captain: Tim Seifert

Strategy for Mega Leagues

Since the MCG favors pacers heavily, stacking your team with fast bowlers like Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, and Tom Curran is a smart strategy. Avoid picking too many spinners unless they are quality wicket takers like Zampa. For the batting section, focus on top order players who can utilize the powerplay before the boundaries feel too big.

Good luck with your team creation! Use your skills to analyze the toss update before finalizing your lineup.