The 45th T20 match of the KFC Big Bash League was fought between Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne on 20 Jan 2021. Melbourne Stars won the toss and went for the batting first. Andre Fletcher and Marcus Stoinis were sent to open for the Stars. Josh Lalor was all set to open the attack with the new ball for Renegades.
The Stars did not have a good start because they lost their first of Fletcher at 17 runs only in 2.6 overs. Nick Larkin came to join Stoinis after the dismissal. Both batsmen handled the situation and the Stars had put 27 runs at the end of the first mandatory Powerplay. Melbourne Stars added 50 runs to the scoreboard at 7.4 overs. Then Zak Evans dismissed the well-settled Stoinis in 8.3 overs. Stonis was looking good but could not stay longer on the crease and made 37 runs off 27 balls. Next batsman, Nathan Coulter-Nile was also sent back for a duck by Zak Evans in the next ball. Two consecutive wickets had brought the Stars under pressure. Nick Larkin faced every situation and handled it very well and made 61 runs from 47 balls. That helped the Stars to put 158 runs on the scoreboard.
Melbourne Renegades needed 159 runs to win from 120 balls. Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch were on the crease to chase the target and the ball was handed over to Nathan Coulter-Nile. The Renegades openers had failed to give a good start and returned at the score of 15 runs only in the 3.2 overs. The Stars got a great start and wanted to continue that but a couple of beautiful innings from Sam Harper (39 runs) and Mackenzie Harvey (47 runs from 21 balls) had taken the match back from the hand of the Stars. The Renegades achieved the target very comfortably in 19.4 overs.
Melbourne Renegades won the 45th BBL match by 5 wickets with 2 balls left. Mackenzie Harvey was chosen the Man of the Match.
Stats - Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades Head to Head