The Melbourne Derby is always a highlight of the Big Bash League calendar, and the 22nd match of the 2025-26 season on January 4, 2026, lived up to every bit of the hype. A massive crowd of 68,000 fans descended upon the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to witness the cross-town rivals, the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades, battle for bragging rights. In a high-stakes encounter that swung back and forth, the Renegades ultimately emerged victorious, securing a thrilling four-wicket win with just one ball to spare.
Renegades Win the Toss and Stifle the Stars
The evening began with Will Sutherland, the Renegades’ captain, winning the toss and electing to bowl first on a pitch that offered a fair balance between bat and ball. The decision paid off early as the Renegades’ bowling unit, led by an inspired Gurinder Sandhu, kept the Stars’ top order under heavy pressure. Thomas Fraser Rogers and Sam Harper provided a brisk start, but once the first wicket fell at 30, the Stars struggled to build a substantial partnership.
The middle order, featuring big names like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, failed to ignite. Maxwell was dismissed for just 1 run, and Stoinis managed only 16 before falling to Sandhu. It was left to the lower order to salvage the innings. Hilton Cartwright played a valuable cameo of 28 from 19 balls, but the real fireworks came from Tom Curran. Coming in late, Curran smashed a rapid 38 off just 18 deliveries, including five boundaries and two sixes, to push the Stars to a competitive total of 173/9 in their 20 overs. Gurinder Sandhu was the standout performer for the Renegades, finishing with impressive figures of 4/41.
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Josh Brown Leads the Renegades’ Charge
Chasing 174 for victory, the Renegades relied heavily on a masterclass from opener Josh Brown. While his partner Tim Seifert fell early for 6, Brown took control of the game from the outset. He combined power with precision, punishing anything short or wide. Brown’s innings of 84 from 48 balls was a blend of aggression and tactical awareness, featuring nine fours and four towering sixes.
He found a steady partner in Mohammad Rizwan, who played a supporting role with 41 runs from 38 balls. Together, they put the Renegades in a commanding position, reaching 127 before Brown was eventually dismissed by Mitchell Swepson. At that stage, the Renegades seemed to be cruising toward a comfortable win, but the MCG’s famous atmosphere and the Stars’ bowling grit ensured the game was far from over.
A Grandstand Finish at the MCG
As the game entered the final stages, the Stars mounted a fierce comeback. Rapid wickets from Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle saw the Renegades slip from a comfortable 127/1 to a nervous 161/6. The tension peaked in the penultimate over when Ollie Peake was run out, leaving the visitors needing double digits off the final six balls.
With the game on the line, Marcus Stoinis took the responsibility of bowling the final over himself. However, Will Sutherland had other ideas. The Renegades’ captain held his nerve under immense pressure, launching the very first ball of the over for a massive six to deep square leg. This hit shifted the momentum entirely back to the Melbourne Renegades. After a series of singles and a dropped catch by Tom Curran that added to the drama, Sutherland and Matthew Spoors scampered through for the winning runs on the penultimate delivery. Sutherland finished unbeaten on 19 from just 7 balls, sealing a memorable derby win.
Key Takeaways and Player of the Match
Josh Brown was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-winning 84, a knock he described as one of the most special of his career given the stage and the opposition. For the Stars, it was a night of “what ifs,” particularly regarding the late lapses in the field and the expensive final over. Despite the loss, Mitchell Swepson’s economical spell of 1/20 from four overs was a bright spot for the home side.
The victory provided a significant boost to the Renegades’ campaign, keeping their finals hopes alive and proving they could handle the pressure of the big stage. For the Stars, it served as a wake-up call in an otherwise strong season, reminding them that in a Melbourne Derby, the form book often goes out the window.
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