Melbourne Stars Women vs Melbourne Renegades Women, 13th Match

The 13th match of the Women's Big Bash League 2025 will witness an intense showdown between the Melbourne Stars Women and Melbourne Renegades Women at the Junction Oval. The Stars have displayed a consistent upward trajectory this season, cruising to victories in 3 of their last 5 outings, buoyed by resilient middle-order batting and penetrative spin options. On the other hand, the Renegades have experienced a roller-coaster run, recording 2 wins and 3 losses in recent games, marked by stout opening partnerships but occasional middle-overs collapse. Head-to-head stats tilt marginally in favor of the Stars, who have won 5 of their previous 9 WBBL encounters against the Renegades. Key performers for the Stars include Mathilda Carmichael, whose aggressive stroke play has earned quick starts, and off-spinner Emma Hughes, who provides crucial breakthroughs during middle overs. The Renegades will rely heavily on the all-round capabilities of Georgia Prestwidge and the consistent top-order batting of Alana King. Strategically, Stars might deploy early pace to exploit any seam movement followed by spin to control run flow, whereas Renegades will aim to take advantage of powerplay overs with their steady openers and hit hard in the death overs. Considering current form, the Stars’ balanced lineup and the familiarity with Junction Oval conditions give them a slight edge to claim victory in this derby encounter. #### AI suggested match winner: Melbourne Stars Women: 56%, Melbourne Renegades Women: 44%

Junction Oval has traditionally supported balanced contests with both bat and ball contributing equally. If Melbourne Stars Women bat first, expect a competitive total around 155-165 runs, capitalizing on their strong middle order and power hitters to accelerate in the last five overs. Conversely, if Melbourne Renegades Women get to set the target, their well-built top order and death-over specialists could push the score near the 150-160 mark. The pitch tends to slow slightly under lights, necessitating smart shot selection and aggressive yet calculated batting effort. Both teams have the firepower to challenge totals in this range, making it a classic final 5 overs battle.

The Junction Oval pitch historically offers a balanced wicket favoring both batters and bowlers. The average first-innings score in recent WBBL matches at this venue hovers around 155. Chasing teams have a winning percentage of approximately 52%, suggesting a slight advantage when batting second due to dew typically appearing in the latter half of games. Weather forecasts predict clear skies with mild temperatures around 22°C and light winds, ideal for cricket. The track’s bounce is true, helping stroke-makers, while slower spinners have had success exploiting turn in the middle overs. Best Bowler (Playing Teams): Emma Hughes (Melbourne Stars Women) – 18 wickets at an average of 19.2 on this ground Best Batsman (Playing Teams): Georgia Prestwidge (Melbourne Renegades Women) – 420 runs with a highest score of 75* at Junction Oval Best Performance Record: Mathilda Carmichael scored a blazing 68* off 43 balls against the Renegades here last season.

Matches Played	Melbourne Stars Wins	Melbourne Renegades Wins
9	5	4

Team Recent Performance

Team	Wins (Last 5)	Losses (Last 5)
Melbourne Stars Women	3	2
Melbourne Renegades Women	2	3

Mathilda Carmichael: Currently in fine form, Carmichael has been instrumental with explosive half-centuries and aggressive starts setting the tone for Stars.

Emma Hughes: A key spinner with consistent wicket-taking ability in crucial overs, crucial for controlling the middle overs for the Stars.

Georgia Prestwidge: An effective all-rounder who scores crucial runs and provides steady bowling options that can shift momentum for the Renegades.

Alana King: Consistent opener and part-time spinner who builds solid foundations for the Renegades’ innings with dependable starts and handy overs.

Erin Osborne: Veteran campaigner with a knack for breaking partnerships and adding valuable lower-order runs, making her a strong asset for the Renegades.