Melbourne’s BBL Rivals Set to Unite Under Single Franchise

The Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades are set to merge into one Victorian team in the Big Bash League (BBL). This is a change that was announced by Cricket Australia and has come as a complete shock for fans. From next season Melbourne will have just one team to cheer for. Cricket Australia say this will make cricket stronger in Victoria, help the team make money and create a better team in Melbourne. But the fans disagree.

A lot of fans are talking about this change. Many people have supported either the Melbourne Stars or the Melbourne Renegades since the Big Bash League started in 2011 and The two teams have the most famous rivalry in the BBL playing twice a year at the MCG in front of the biggest crowds 

The new team will likely have to combine the team lists of the two clubs which could create a “super team” who could very well become the favorites to win this year’s BBL. First though they will come up with a name, logo and colors and already the classic navy blue of Victoria and the name “Bushrangers” has been suggested. The people in charge of the club have suggested that they want to ask the fans for feedback throughout the process, but no official vote or survey has been released yet.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg described the decision as a bold step forward for the sport. “Melbourne has played a massive role in the success of the Big Bash League. Bringing these two clubs together creates an exciting opportunity to build a stronger and more sustainable future for cricket in Victoria,” he said.

The new team will have some of the most talented players in the league and coaches and selectors will have to make hard choices and this may result in many talented young players missing out on an opportunity to play in the BBL

Even though some people are happy about the change most fans are not thrilled with the merge and say that they will refuse to support the new team. The biggest challenge in the early days of this new Victorian team will be trying to build a fanbase from the ground up all over again

For Now, everyone will be watching to see how the new team does. Despite the fans protest it doesn’t seem as though there is anything they can do.  The Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades are becoming one team. And it will be interesting to see what happens next. The merger is a start for cricket in Victoria and everyone in the cricketing world will be paying attention to see how it all works out.

Written by: Leo Atheis