The Melbourne Derby is always a highlight of the Big Bash League calendar, but the 30th match of BBL|15 at Marvel Stadium delivered a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting. On January 10, 2026, the Melbourne Stars asserted their dominance over the Melbourne Renegades, coasting to an eight-wicket victory with a staggering 25 balls to spare. It was a clinical performance that saw the Stars move to second on the ladder, powered by a red-hot Sam Harper and a disciplined bowling effort led by Marcus Stoinis.
Renegades Set a Competitive Foundation
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Melbourne Stars sought to exploit the double-paced nature of the Marvel Stadium deck. They struck early when Peter Siddle dismissed Tim Seifert for just 3 runs, but the Renegades quickly found their rhythm. Josh Brown was the protagonist of the first innings, playing a fearless brand of cricket that kept the scoreboard ticking. Brown anchored the innings with a superb 80 off 50 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and three massive sixes.
Brown found an able partner in Jake Fraser-McGurk, whose 17-run cameo included a dramatic moment where a skied shot struck the Marvel Stadium roof. The umpires ruled it a dead ball, as it was deemed unlikely to have cleared the boundary. Despite the brief momentum, the Renegades’ middle order struggled to capitalize. Marcus Stoinis proved to be the game-changer with the ball, striking twice in the 13th over to remove Mohammad Rizwan (21) and Caleb Jewell (0). These quick wickets stalled the Renegades’ progress just as they were looking to launch.
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Death Bowling Restricts the Target
The Renegades attempted to reclaim the narrative during the Power Surge, taking 20 runs off the 16th over. However, the Stars’ veteran experience shone through in the closing stages. Haris Rauf and Marcus Stoinis utilized pace variations effectively to prevent a late-innings explosion. Brown was eventually trapped LBW by Siddle in the 18th over, ending his valiant effort.
Late contributions from Hassan Khan (23) and a brief struggle by Will Sutherland (2) pushed the Renegades to a total of 166/7. While 166 was a competitive score on a surface averaging 164 for the season, the Stars’ disciplined execution—particularly Stoinis finishing with 3/33 and Rauf with 2/31—meant the target was well within reach for a confident batting unit.
Stars’ Explosive Opening Salvo
If the Renegades felt they had enough runs to defend, those hopes were quickly extinguished by a whirlwind opening partnership. Tom Rogers and Sam Harper came out with a clear mandate to attack. Rogers was particularly devastating, reaching his half-century in just 19 balls—the second-fastest fifty in Melbourne Stars history. He blazed 53 runs off 24 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes, before a sharp piece of work by Jake Fraser-McGurk resulted in a run-out.
By the time Rogers departed in the eighth over, the Stars were already at 84/1, having effectively broken the back of the chase. The Renegades’ bowling unit, led by Will Sutherland and Jason Behrendorff, found no answers to the onslaught. Hassan Khan managed to provide a rare breakthrough by dismissing Campbell Kellaway for 7, but it did little to slow the momentum.
Sam Harper Leads the Charge to Victory
With the platform set, Sam Harper took full control. Harper, currently the tournament’s leading run-scorer, played with a level of confidence that made the chase look effortless. He showcased an array of innovative shots, including a remarkable boundary over the wicketkeeper’s head. Harper remained unbeaten on 84 from 51 deliveries, an innings defined by calculated aggression and expert strike rotation.
Batting alongside him was the experienced Glenn Maxwell, who played a composed supporting role. Maxwell remained 20 not out, ensuring there were no further hiccups. The pair shared an unbeaten 50-run partnership to guide the Stars to 170/2 in just 15.5 overs. The ease with which they reached the target underscored the gap between the two sides on the night.
Implications for the BBL|15 Season
This eight-wicket victory was vital for the Melbourne Stars, snapping a three-match losing streak and evening the season derby series at 1-1. For Sam Harper, the Player of the Match honors were a formality; his innings not only secured the win but solidified his status as the most dangerous batter in the competition this year.
The Renegades, conversely, will be left to rue a middle-order collapse and a bowling performance that lacked penetration. While Josh Brown’s form remains a silver lining, the team in red will need more consistency from their secondary bowlers if they hope to climb back into finals contention. As the league moves toward the business end, the Stars have sent a loud message to the rest of the competition: when their top order fires, they are nearly impossible to stop.
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