Renegades stand up late in Melbourne Derby

The Melbourne Renegades have snatched a much-needed BBL derby win, recording a five-wicket victory against the COVID-19 ravaged Melbourne Stars at the MCG.

Having to call-up club cricketers as they attempt to push on without 12 squad players, the Stars were eyeing off an extraordinary upset as the Renegades lost 4-18.

But the inexperienced pair of Mackenzie Harvey (23 not out) and James Seymour (17 not out) steered the Renegades past the Stars' paltry total of 126 with 12 balls to spare.

Renegades captain Nic Maddinson proved to be the unlikely destroyer with the ball to set the tone for the contest.

Maddinson claimed career-best figures of 3-20 after entering the match having taken just nine wickets from 127 T20 games.

The Renegades' second win of the tournament - and just their seventh victory in 21 games against the Stars - came with plenty of anxious moments.

Melbourne's red team were cruising at 1-73 from just nine overs with ace duo Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh at the crease.

But Finch's important innings of 50 ended in controversy after the video umpire deemed Haris Rauf completed a catch despite footage possibly indicating the Pakistani quick touched the boundary rope with his foot.

The mini collapse ultimately did not matter as Harvey and Seymour showed composure to lead the Renegades home.

In a shining light for the Stars, young Pakistani fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal dismissed Marsh for a wicket on his BBL debut.

But Maxwell, who was one of just four players remaining from his team's game seven days ago, was unable to pull the Stars out of a hole and was dismissed for seven.

Star quick Kane Richardson (3-24) followed up Maddinson's good work to strike fear through the Stars' tail.

Already without 10 squad members for Sunday's loss against the Perth Scorchers, English opener Joe Clarke and top-up player Tom Rogers were ruled out of the derby after recording positive COVID-19 tests.

Renegades fast bowler James Pattinson was also unable to take to the field as he awaits his result from a coronavirus test taken four days ago.

The former Australia Test bowler undertook a PCR test on December 30 but is still waiting to hear if he is positive or negative.

The Renegades experience was too much for the young Stars squad, taking their second win of their BBL|11 campaign by five wickets.

The Melbourne Renegades will look to make it two on the trot against the Brisbane Heat on Thursday, while the Melbourne Stars have an extended break, facing the Adelaide Strikers on Friday.