REN vs STA Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match? BBL 2020-21, Match 45

Melbourne Stars were languishing at the bottom half of the points table. But back-to-back wins at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has lifted them among the table-toppers. With 23 points from 11 matches, Glenn Maxwell and Co have picked up in momentum.

Their next match is against the cellar dwellers, Melbourne Renegades, on Wednesday, January 20, at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. Another victory will take them to second in the points table. Moreover, the fact that Andre Fletcher didn’t develop an arm fracture would give them some relief.

On the head-to-head count, the Stars are leading the Renegades by 14-5. As far as the Renegades are concerned, their campaign is more or less over barring something miraculous. They have 10 points from 11 games with a net run rate of -2.173.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Docklands Stadium turned out to be a batting-friendly one in the match between Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers. The track didn’t change in nature throughout the game and batting second won’t be the worst of choices by any means.

There are no chances of rain with the temperature around the 25 degrees Celsius mark. The humidity will mostly be in the mid-40s.

Average first-innings score

174 (1 completed T20 match in BBL 2020-21)

Record of the chasing teams

Won – 0; Lost – 1

Playing Combinations for REN vs STA

Melbourne Renegades

Aaron Finch (C), Shaun Marsh, Sam Harper (WK), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Beau Webster, Imad Wasim, Will Sutherland, Kane Richardson, Peter Hatzoglou, Noor Ahmad

Bench– Jack Prestwidge, Brody Couch, Zak Evans, Jon Holland, Josh Lalor, Mitchell Perry, Brayden Stepien

Melbourne Stars

Andre Fletcher, Marcus Stoinis, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (C), Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Seb Gotch (WK), Adam Zampa, Liam Hatcher, Billy Stanlake, Zahir Khan Pakteen

Bench– Haris Rauf, Samuel Elliot, Clint Hinchcliffe, Edward J Newman, Tom O’Connell, Sam Rainbird

Probable Top Performers for REN vs STA

Shaun Marsh– Melbourne Renegades

Shaun Marsh has been the only shining light for the Renegades in their batting department. The left-hander has scored 271 runs from nine matches at an average and strike-rate of 30.11 and 134.15 respectively.

The veteran has three half-centuries to his name, showing how much value he brings to his team. But he can’t afford to drop his guard as the rest of the batting isn’t in any kind of form.

Glenn Maxwell– Melbourne Stars

Glenn Maxwell has been a fulcrum for the Stars in the ongoing BBL. In 11 matches, the Victorian has notched 312 runs at an average and strike-rate of 34.66 and 145.11 respectively.

Though he has two ducks to his name, he has made sure that he scores big in the other games. Moreover, the fact that he has seven wickets to his name at an economy rate of 7.72 shows the threat Maxwell poses.

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 07:15 PM local time, 01:45 PM IST

TV – Sony Ten Network

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for Melbourne Stars to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.