Big Bash League: Bragging rights on the line with Renegades-Stars derby hottest ticket in Melbourne

A crowd of more than 50,000 people is expected at the MCG on New Year’s Day as Melbourne’s two Big Bash teams battle it out for ‘a lot of bragging rights’ in one of the marquee matches of the season.

Adam Zampa v Kane Richardson. Who will come out on top?

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A crowd of more than 50,000 people is expected at the MCG on New Year’s Day as Melbourne’s two Big Bash teams battle it out for “a lot of bragging rights” in one of the marquee matches of the season.

The Melbourne Stars will be seeking to even their ledger at 2-2, while the Melbourne Renegades will be out to strengthen their position in the top-four following a 2-1 start to the season.

While the corresponding match in 2016 drew 80,883 fans through the gates, a more modest figure is being predicted this time around, not that it will lessen the heat out on the ground.

Adam Zampa v Kane Richardson. Who will come out on top?

“It’s always an exciting time of year. It’s a great rivalry,” Stars bowler Adam Zampa said.

“There’s a lot of bragging rights at stake, particularly between me and (Renegades counterpart Kane Richardson). I remember when I first came to the Stars he got me out and I haven’t stopped hearing about it ever since so I need to get one back on him somehow.”

The Renegades will be hoping for some more runs out of their top and middle order after another collapse on Saturday night cost them victory over the Sydney Sixers.

Debutant Mackenzie Harvey, 18, opened the batting and made 30 off 25 balls but the side’s next highest score was 13 as it flopped to 9-99.

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“There’s massive wraps on him (Harvey) and I think on that wicket at Marvel it was pretty tough going so if it’s a bit better out here (on the MCG) I think he’ll be a big one to watch,” Richardson said.

“It’s a long tournament so you’re going to lose one along the way at some point. We’ve still got 11 games to go so if we can keep winning two to every one we should go a long way to making finals.”

Seb Gotch and a yet-to-debut Jonathan Merlo come in to the Stars’ squad for Peter Handscomb (Test squad) and Jackson Coleman (personal reasons).

Paceman Andrew Fekete and spinner Jon Holland have been added to the Renegades squad, replacing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tim Ludeman.