The Melbourne derby rarely has fireworks, but on January 10, 2026, Match 30 BBL|15 The game at Docklands Stadium was all about the men in green. In a clinical demonstration of power hitting and strategic bowling Melbourne Stars dismantled Melbourne Renegades with eight wickets, chasing a competitive target with 25 balls to spare. The hero of the night was the keeper-batter Sam Harperwhose unbeaten 84 turned a potentially difficult chase into a walk in the park.
Melbourne Renegades laid a formidable foundation against the Stars at Docklands
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Melbourne Renegades looked set for a big total. Despite losing Tim Seifert early Tom Curran, Josh Brown played a brilliant single hand. Brown’s 80 to 50 was the backbone of the Renegades’ innings, with seven boundaries and four powerful sixes. He found brief support Jake Fraser-McGurk (17) and Mohammad Rizvan (21), took the team to a comfortable 84/2 at the halfway mark.
However, the experienced leadership of the Stars’ bowling attack Marcus Stoiniscaused moderate compression. Stoinis was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 3 for 33 and picking up the important wickets of Rizwan and Rizwan. Caleb Jewell in successive deliveries. Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle Excellent support in death, ensuring that the Renegades were unable to take advantage of the power boost. Delayed cameras Hasan Khan (23) and Will Sutherland helped the Renegades to 166/7, which many felt was huge on the surface, offering a tip for the spinners.
Sam Harper’s match-winning blitz leads Melbourne Stars to a dominant BBL|15 win
If the Renegades were feeling confident at the break of the innings, that feeling evaporated in the first four overs. Thomas Rogers and Harper were out as men in contention for 50 runs off just 24 balls. Rogers was particularly devastating, smashing 53 off just 24 deliveries. His departure did little to stem the flow of runs that resulted from a sharp run by Fraser-McGurk.
Harper then gave full command of the pursuit. While Rogers provided the initial burst, he provided the steady heat. Displaying a wide range of innovative sweeps and traditional drives, Harper reached his half-century in 35 balls. He found a competent partner Glenn Maxwell (20*) and together dismantled the bowling depth of Renegades.
The Stars made good use of the power surge, amassing 26 runs in two overs to wipe out any remaining hopes for the hosts. Harper finished the game in style, unbeaten in a knock of 84 off 51 balls that hit nine fours and four sixes. Stars reached 170/2 in just 15.5 overs, giving their net run rate a big boost and cementing their No. 2 position on the ladder. Harper was rightly named Player of the Match.
