BBL’s biggest rivalry returns to the MCG, as Stars take on Renegades
From Warnie’s stoush with Marlon Samuels, to the Renegades snatching a title from the Stars – the Melbourne derby is the BBL’s most heated rivalry. The sides meet at the ‘G this weekend to launch a blockbuster January for events. SEE WHAT’S ON
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Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels’ stoush on the MCG in 2013. A record crowd of 80,883 witnessing a Luke Wright century power the Stars to victory over their cross-town rivals in 2016. The Renegades snatching the BBL title from the jaws of defeat to break Stars’ hearts in 2019.
The Stars-Renegades rivalry has been built on memorable moments like these, each of which ensure the Melbourne derby is a highlight on the BBL calendar every season.
The next chapter in the clubs’ colourful history will be written at the MCG on Saturday, January 4 – and fans won’t want to miss it.
The fact both sides entered BBL|14 determined to climb up the ladder, having missed finals last season, only amplifies the importance of the match-up.
The Stars, especially, will be desperate for a win after a challenging start to their season.
Adding to the occasion will be an innings-break performance by Synthony – a New Zealand collective comprising a live orchestra, DJs, vocalists and immersive visuals that recently launched the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix with a “collision of the biggest electronic dance anthems”.
“Hopefully we get a massive crowd,” new Stars captain Marcus Stoinis said.
Stoinis named “superstar in the making” Jake Fraser-McGurk, big-hitting recruit Laurie Evans and Australia’s top white-ball spinner Adam Zampa as the biggest dangers in the Renegades line-up.
But he was confident the Stars had the personnel to overcome them, noting fans should be particularly excited about English draftee Ben Duckett.
“Duckett plays the game a bit differently to some of our bigger hitters – he hits behind the wicket, hits square of the wicket, he’s a very good player of spin, he sweeps, reverse-sweeps,” Stoinis said. “We took him with our first pick in the draft, he’s a big pick up for us.”
Duckett has been a shining light for the Stars in a tough season, hammering scores of 68 from 29 balls and 67 from 49 balls in two of his three outings.
He also took a one-handed screamer to dismiss D’Arcy Short of the Strikers in his first match in green.
Veteran pace bowler Peter Siddle defected from the Renegades to Stars for what he says will be his final BBL season.
Stoinis also tipped big things from fellow all-rounder Beau Webster, whose standout Sheffield Shield performances earned him a call-up to Australia’s Test squad in December.
“He’s in a great headspace to make this Big Bash his own,” he said. “Hilton Cartwright is also going to be exciting to watch.
“And then a young one, Hamish McKenzie – left-arm leg spinner, we brought him over from the Scorchers.
“I’m really impressed with him, I think he has a big future with the Stars.”
Stoinis has inked a new three-season deal with the green team, and sees his captaincy as an opportunity to repay the club that “helped start my career in T20 cricket” by returning them to finals after a four-year absence.
“We’re accustomed to being around in finals time, accustomed to being in the conversation of winning the BBL, so that’s what I want that to get back to,” the 35-year-old said.
The rivalry will be reignited at a second Melbourne derby at Marvel Stadium on January 12.
The Melbourne Stars will take on the Renegades at the MCG, 7.15pm on January 4. Tickets available via Ticketek.
WHAT’S ON IN MELBOURNE
AO Opening Week
See the world’s best tennis players up close for as little as $15 for adults and $10 for kids during AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun, from January 6-11. The fan-friendly event will be headlined by four nights of charity matches on Rod Laver Arena, featuring 2024 AO champs Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, finalist Qinwen Zheng, superstars Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and top-ranked Aussies Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin – and more. New events 1 Point Slam and Red Bull Bassline, Australian Open qualifying and open practice sessions with top seeds are also part of the offering, while Kids Tennis Day rounds out the week on January 11. The Australian Open main tournament is from January 12-26.
Friday Nights Yayoi Kusama
Melbourne’s after-dark institution, NGV Friday Nights, is back to align with summer exhibition Yayoi Kusama. Until April 18, the event will bring Kusama’s colourful world to life with live DJ performances, after-hours access to the gallery, and food and drink offerings. Upcoming performers include Tanzer on January 3, Small Fry on January 10 and Charlie Villas on January 17.
Beauty and the Beast the Musical
The final Melbourne tickets have gone on sale for Disney’s beloved musical, which will wrap up a mammoth 43-week season at Her Majesty’s Theatre on April 20. Starring Shubshri Kandiah as Belle, Brendan Xavier as The Beast and Rohan Browne as Lumiere, the show has been enchanting audiences in the city with blockbuster numbers like Be Our Guest and Gaston since June.
beautyandthebeastmusical.com.au
Herald Sun Caulfield Family Day
Headlined by the Group 1 weight-for-age C.F. Orr Stakes, this family friendly race day is a highlight of the Victorian summer racing carnival on February 8. It will be followed, two weeks later on February 22, by Caulfield Blue Diamond, featuring the state’s premier race for two-year-olds, which was won by Jamie Kah aboard Hayasugi in 2024.
A-League Womens match-ups
The league is starting the new year with a bang, with Western United taking on the Newcastle Jets at Tarneit’s Ironbark Fields at 7pm on January 3, followed by Melbourne Victory versus the Western Sydney Wanderers at the Home of the Matildas in Bundoora from 5pm on January 5.
50 years of Penn & Teller
The legendary masters of magic are celebrating their 50th anniversary with performances at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall from January 21-26, as part of a world tour. The duo will showcase incredible new tricks and illusions during the rare opportunity to see them perform live.
artscentremelbourne.com.au
Van Gogh at The Lume
Returning to Melbourne after a record run two years ago, this exhibition brings Vincent van Gogh’s works – from The Starry Night to Sunflowers – to life on a grand scale. Visitors can also add on the Finding Vincent VR experience, in which they will journey through the artist’s world alongside his brother, Theo, in an interactive narrative that goes beyond the canvas.
All-Victorian WNBL showdown
See Bec Cole’s Southside Flyers take on Monique Conti’s Geelong United in this big clash at Wantirna South’s State Basketball Centre, from 7pm on January 8. Geelong – which entered the WNBL this season – has broken Flyers fans’ hearts the last two times they have met, winning 90-87 and 88-86 in tight tussles.
wnbl.basketball
Allan’s shock confession that bail laws are too soft
Premier Jacinta Allan has ordered a major review of bail laws as she concedes more must be done to tackle Victoria’s youth crime crisis.
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Brian Corr was backpacking around Australia 15 years ago when he fell in love with farming Down Under. Now, he is thriving.