The Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades are poised to merge and undergo a rebranding in a sensational Big Bash League (BBL) shake-up. According to 7SPORT expert Tom Morris, Cricket Victoria staff were informed late Tuesday afternoon of the bombshell decision, which will see the two franchises become a single new Victorian team playing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
"It's a massive day in Australian cricket... it's the end of the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades as we know them. Fifteen years of history all gone," Morris said.
The merged franchise will retain the name "Melbourne" but will adopt a new nickname, with "Bushrangers" emerging as a strong possibility. "But it won't be the Stars," Morris confirmed, adding that the new team is likely to wear navy blue, a colour widely associated with Victoria. However, due to Cricket Australia's BBL rules, the club cannot be called "Victoria."
Cricket Victoria has committed to selling its second licence entirely, which is effectively the licence attached to the Renegades. The sale is expected to be imminent, but Morris noted it is unclear what would happen if Cricket Australia cannot find a buyer at the right price. "Cricket Australia is taking over the operations of the 'second' Victorian BBL team while the privatisation debate continues," Morris said. If no buyer is found for the second licence, that team could still play in the tournament under administrators.
Morris also said it remains unclear what will happen to players still under contract with the Renegades. Renegades general manager James Rosengarten is tipped to take on the same role for the newly merged team. Further details about Cricket Australia's privatisation plans are expected after a meeting in Melbourne on June 15.
Andrew Flintoff Appointed Sydney Thunder Coach
In other BBL news, English cricket legend Andrew Flintoff has been tasked with revitalising the Sydney Thunder following his appointment as head coach. The reigning wooden spooners confirmed on Tuesday that Flintoff had signed a two-year deal to replace Trevor Bayliss, ending weeks of speculation.
Known ubiquitously as 'Freddie,' Flintoff enjoyed a prolific career as an allrounder, earning 272 international caps across all formats. He was notably crowned player of the 2005 Ashes series when England reclaimed the urn for the first time since the 1986/87 summer. As a coach, Flintoff led the England Lions on tour of Australia and coached the Northern Superchargers (now Sunrisers Leeds) for two seasons of The Hundred. Under his leadership, the Superchargers rose from wooden spooners in 2023 to semi-finalists two seasons later. He will continue to coach the England Lions while in charge of the Thunder.
Flintoff's Thunder deal marks his return to the BBL for the first time since his final season as a player in 2015. "I can't wait to get over there and get started," Flintoff said. "You look around the world now and everyone gets the opportunity to play for all different teams, but one of my aims over the time with Sydney Thunder is that every player looks back thinking that's the best part of the year, that's a team that I want to play for."
Flintoff inherits a Thunder squad boasting significant talent, including former Test players Sam Konstas, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, English wicketkeeper Sam Billings, and white-ball international Tanveer Sangha. However, the Thunder managed just two wins in a dismal 2025/26 campaign, hampered by a lack of bowling firepower. Only one Thunder bowler ranked among the top 25 for most wickets taken last summer.
