Stars, Renegades face off in WBBL Melbourne derby at MCG
Cross-town rivals the Stars and Renegades will meet on cricket’s biggest stage in a season-defining match, to headline a huge fortnight of Melbourne events. SEE WHAT’S ON
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Annabel Sutherland has many treasured memories of the MCG – from watching her beloved Geelong win AFL grand finals to Australia toppling New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup final alongside 93,000 people, and several Boxing Day Tests.
So the opportunity to play at the ‘G again, in a WBBL Melbourne derby against the Renegades on Friday night, November 15, is incredibly special to the new Melbourne Stars captain.
“It’s so nice to be back on the bigger grounds, that’s where women’s sport deserves to be,” the 23-year-old said.
“I just can’t wait. Growing up, any time you get to go the ‘G and watch your heroes and role models play is pretty special – it helped form my goals, in terms of sport. I’m hoping to do the same for young boys and girls who can turn up on that night.”
Cricket fans who do turn up are in for a treat.
After lacklustre 2023 seasons, both Melbourne sides have recruited star internationals to bolster their line-ups – the Stars scored South African superstar Marizanne Kapp and Indian duo Deepti Sharma and Yastika Bhatia, while the Renegades boast West Indian all-rounders Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin, and English young gun Alice Capsey.
Matthews and Dottin starred for the Renegades in the side’s most recent win against the Strikers, contributing 85no from 54 balls and 46no from 18 balls respectively to the 186 total in what was a WBBL-record chase.
Sutherland’s Australian teammates Kim Garth (Stars), Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham (Renegades) will also be keen to put on a big show on the hallowed turf. And that’s not even mentioning former Australian skipper Meg Lanning, from whom Sutherland recently took over the Stars captaincy.
Sutherland said while many of the sides’ domestic players shared friendships from playing together for Victoria, that only heightened their competitiveness.
“Everyone wants to one-up each other,” she said. “The friendship kind of gets put on hold once everyone crosses the white line, there’s some fieriness.”
She added the Stars were striving to achieve a finals berth for the first time since 2020, when they finished runners-up, and were confident they now had the line-up to do so. But they will need to start piling on some wins, currently sitting second bottom on the table.
“We recruited really well in the draft,” Sutherland said. “Kappy is such an experienced all-rounder who has played all around the world.
“And our talent from Victoria are another year older, have another year of experience playing in the WNCL (Australia’s domestic 50-over competition) and WBBL – the likes of Tess Flintoff, Rhys McKenna, Ines McKeon.”
McKeon, aged 17, and McKenna, 20, already have half-centuries this season. McKenna’s 52 against the Sixers came from just 22 balls.
Sutherland’s star has dramatically risen since she debuted in the WBBL, for the Renegades, at age 15. The all-rounder was a strong contributor with the ball during the recent T20 World Cup, taking wickets in matches against India, South Africa and eventual champions New Zealand.
“It was the first time I’ve been able to string games together in a World Cup and be consistently in the 11,” she said. “It was really nice to contribute on field.”
The Stars-Renegades Stadium Series blockbuster will follow Scorchers vs. Thunder at the MCG at 3.45pm, as part of a double-header. Aussie DJs Kinder – sisters Savannah and Briony Osei – will also perform.
The Melbourne Stars will take on the Melbourne Renegades at the MCG, 7.15pm on November 15. Tickets available from $20 for adults, $15 for concession, free for juniors (aged up to 17), $40 for families via Ticketek.
Other events in Melbourne
AFLW semi final
Fresh from a tight qualifying final loss to Brisbane, Hawthorn will take on Port Adelaide at Carlton’s IKON Park at 7.30pm on November 16. The winner will earn a preliminary final match-up with North Melbourne. Tickets $15 for adults, free for kids via Ticketmaster.
Beauty and the Beast the Musical
Belle, the Beast, Lumiere, Mrs Potts and co are still enchanting audiences at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Starring Shubshri Kandiah, Brendan Xavier and Rohan Browne and featuring blockbuster songs like Be Our Guest and Gaston, the Disney musical is not to be missed. Tickets are on sale for performances until February 16, starting at $50.
beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au
Cats and Dogs
This pawsitively pawsome exhibition showcases more than 250 works featuring cats or dogs, by artists including Rembrandt, Pierre Bonnard, Jeff Koons, Atong Atem. and David Hockney. It spans painting and sculpture to contemporary fashion and photography, and will be on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia until July 20. Tickets $8 for children, $16 for adults, $40 for families.
ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/cats-and-dogs
WNBL and NBL action
Basketball fans will be spoiled for choice in Victoria this weekend, with WNBL showdowns between Geelong United and Adelaide Lightning (Geelong Arena, 6pm on November 16), and reigning champs the Southside Flyers and UC Capitals (State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South, 12.30pm on November 17) preceding an NBL clash between Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers (John Cain arena, 2.30pm on November 17).
African Music and Cultural Festival
In its 11th year, this free Fed Square festival will kick off with a showcase of African-Australian films, spoken word performances and live jazz on November 15, before ramping up on November 16 and 17 with music and dance performances, fashion and arts displays, a market selling African wares, free drumming lessons and authentic African street food.
Caulfield Thousand and Caulfield Spring Finale
The last major race days of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival are offering top-notch racing, food and entertainment. Off the track, Jon Stevens will perform a mash up of fan favourites from INXS and Noiseworks – the bands he fronted – at Caulfield Thousand on November 16. And Peking Duk have promised to put on a party at Caulfield Spring Finale on November 30. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $20 for concession, free for children under 18.
Leonardo da Vinci at The Lume
This exhibition – offering the chance to experience Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous works on a mammoth scale – is entering its final weeks, closing on December 8. See masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper come to life on colossal canvases, examine 500-year-old pages from da Vinci’s treasured Codex Atlanticus, and soar over Renaissance-era Florence via a VR experience that fulfils the artist’s ultimate dream of flying.
thelumemelbourne.com/leonardo-da-vinci
ALWAYS LIVE
In its third year, this 17-day celebration of live music will showcase 289 artists across Victoria from November 22 to December 8, including The Offspring, Jack White, Tina Arena, Anyma, Chet Faker and Missy Higgins.
Australian Open Golf
The world’s greatest golfers will be back on the famed Melbourne Sandbelt from November 28 to December 1. The Australian Open will bring together the men’s and women’s events, as well as the All Abilities Championship, when it’s played across Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Clubs. Fans keen to hit the green earlier can also take in final qualifying and entries on November 25 at Keysborough, Spring Valley and Woodlands Golf Clubs.
Originally published as Stars, Renegades face off in WBBL Melbourne derby at MCG
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