The highly anticipated Melbourne Derby unfolded at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on January 4, 2025, as the Melbourne Stars faced off against the Melbourne Renegades in the 23rd match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 season. The match was marked by a thrilling performance from Ben Duckett, whose explosive innings propelle?d the Stars to a 5-wicket victory, securing their s??econd win of the season.

Melbourne Renegades�?struggles with the willow

Winn??ing the toss, the Melbourne Stars opted to bowl first, a decision that would prove crucial as they aimed to restrict their rivals. The MCG, known for its vibrant atmosphere and challenging pitch conditions, set the stage for an exciting encounter. The Renegades, batting first, managed to post a total of 168 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, setting a target of 169 runs for the Stars.

The Renegades’ innings began with a shaky start. They lost their first wicket early when Josh Brown was dismissed for just 6 runs. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tim Seifert followed suit, leaving the team struggling at 53 for 3. However, Jacob Bethell and Jonathan Wells steadied the innings wi?th a partnership that brought some stability. Bethell scored a commendable 49 runs ??off 36 balls, while Wells contributed 45 runs off 31 balls.

The late surge from Laurie Evans, who scored 24 runs off just 11 balls, helped the Renegades reach a competitive total, but it was clear they had left room for improvement. Joel Paris was the standout bowler??, claiming 2 wickets for 23 runs, showcasing a disciplined bowling performance that kept the Renegades in check throughout their inni??ngs.

Also WATCH:?? Joel Paris�?no look run-out attempt to dismiss Jacob Bethell in the BBL 202?4-25

Ben Duckett’s dazzling display in Melbourne Stars innings

Chasing down 169 runs, the Stars faced early setbacks as well. They lost Thomas Rogers and Sam Harper quickly, leaving them at a precarious 3 for 2. However, Duckett’s arrival at the crease changed the momentum of the game. He played an aggressive knock of 67 runs off 49 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. His ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries at crucial moments was instrumental in guiding his team towards victory.

Duckett received valuable support from Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright. Stoinis scored 48 runs off 35 balls, while Cartwright remained unbeaten on 24 runs off just 12 balls, ensuring that the Stars crossed the finish line with two balls to spare. The partnership between Duckett and Stoinis was particularly vital as they built a solid foundation after early wickets fell. Gurinder Sandhu turned out to be the lone warrior, claiming 3 wickets for 29 runs in his four overs against the Renegades who showe?d resilience.

The match concluded with the Melbourne Stars triumphing by 5 wickets, marking a significant win that could rejuvenate their season. Duckett’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his pivotal role in this derby clash.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

3rd half century for Ben Duckett in this BBL season. 👌#Avisha#GrandeFratello #StarAcademyLeLive #LingOrm #DailynewsAwards2024 #WinterAhead #จุงดัง #BamBam #IRENE #AIart #DailynewsAwards2024xLMSY pic.twitter.com/tcukW8khwB

— Cricket lover 🇮🇳🧢 (@I_am_Unkar007) January 4, 2025

Most Fifties in BBL 2024-25

– Ben Duckett: 3 Fifties
– Finn Allen : 2 Fifties
– Cooper Connolly : 2 Fifties
– Dan Lawrence : 1 Fifties
– Sam Konstas : 1 Fifties pic.twitter.com/nJ0aTXIxGf

— Akshay Tadvi 🇮🇳 (@AkshayTadvi28) January 4, 2025

Magnificent again from Ben Duckett 👏 pic.twitter.com/1wDD3X3hrM

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 4, 2025

Ben Duckett is such a clever cricketer!#BBL14 #zelena3E pic.twitter.com/qI5jAEIdTq

— Ritu Jaipur (@Ritukd31) January 4, 2025

Melbourne is ours baby, Up the stars 💚🌟 #bbl14 //t.co/MwuAZxuUnG

— Patrick Malone 🤎💛 (@pattymalone2000) January 4, 2025

2nd win of the season for Melbourne Stars 🏏#Cricket #BigBashLeague #MelbourneStars #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/vyXYL6tQih

— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 4, 2025

That 121m monster hit by Cartwright sealed the deal for Stars in the Melbourne derby.#BBL14 #MelbourneDerby #MSvsMR

— Priyank (@Priyank_Gaurav) January 4, 2025

Remember it’s not pronounce?d Ben Duckett ?but Douquet

##BBL14 pic.twitter.com/tirNO2RGhr

— Jason Ford (@TheFordFactor) January 4, 2025

Disappointing result tonight. #BBL14 #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/mLugjx4bq3

— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) January 4, 2025

Melbourne Stars won by 5 Wickets. Fantastic spell Joel Paris 2/23. Excellent Knock Ben Duckett 67(49)[Player of the Match]. Well played Marcus Stoinis 48(35).@StarsBBL #BBL14 #MSvMR @BenDuckett1 @MStoinis

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 4, 2025

Also WATCH: Chris Jordan’s straight dri??ve accidentally hits the umpire | BBL 2024-25

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The 23rd match of the Big Bash League 2024-25 will see the Melbourne Renegades take on the Melbourne Stars at The Gabba in Brisbane.

The Renegades currently hold 6th place on the points table with 4 points but are under pressure following two consecutive defeats, including a recent 5-wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers. On the other hand, the Stars find themselves at the bottom of the standings, having managed just one win in six matches. However, they will take confidence from their most recent performance, a morale-boos??ting 5-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat. T??his clash promises to be a critical encounter as both teams strive to rejuvenate their campaigns.

Big Bash League 2024-25, Match 23

• Date and time: January 4; 8:15 am GMT/ 7:15 pm local/ 1:45 pm IST
• Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Melbourne Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The pitch at the MCG is expected to provide a balanced contest between ba?t and ball. Early on, bowlers, especially those with the new ball, may find some assistance, while the surface is likely to become more favorable for batters as the game progresses.

With consistent bounce and pace, the pitch should encourage aggressive stroke play, offering batters opportunities to score freely. Howe?ver, the larger boundaries could impact the scoring rate, demanding a blend of precision and power from the batters. This dynamic sets the stage for an intriguing battle as teams work to balance offense and defense. The conditions promise a thrilling match, requiring both bowlers and batters to adapt to the evolving ch?allenges.

REN vs STA Dream11 Prediction Picks:

• Wicketkeeper: Tim Seifert
• Batters: Hilton Cartwright, Ben Duckett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jacob Bethell
• All-rounder: Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Will Sutherland
• Bowlers: Peter Siddle, Adam Zampa, Mark Steketee

REN vs STA Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:

Choice 1: Will Sutherland (c), Marcus Stoinis (vc)
Choice 2: Ben Duckett (c), Jacob Bethell (vc)

Also READ: Twitter reactions: Chris Lynn’s explosive knock helps Adelaide Strikers crush M??elbourne Renegades in BBL|14

REN vs STA Dream11 Prediction Backups:

Sam Harper, Daniel Lawrence, Thomas Stewart Rogers, ??Kane Richardson

REN vs STA Dream11 Team for today’s match (January 4, 8:15 am GMT):

Squads:

Melbourne Stars: Ben Duckett, Thomas Fraser Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Danie??l Lawrence, Marcus Stoinis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Usama Mir, Mark Steketee, Joel Paris, Peter Siddle, Jonathan Merlo, Doug Warren, Campbell Kellaway

Melbourne Renegades: Josh Brown, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tim Seifert (wk), Jacob Bethell, Mackenzie Harvey, Laurie Evans, Will Sutherland (c), Xavier Crone, Adam Zampa?, Gurinder Sandhu, Kane Richardson, Thomas Stewart Rogers, Jonathan Wells, Callum Stow

Also WATCH: Jacob Bethell blast??s a gigantic 96-metre six off Cameron Boyce to electrify th??e Melbourne crowd in BBL 2024-25

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.