Cricket Victoria has announced the end of both the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades as part of a major restructuring driven by the privatisation of Australian cricket. Chief executive Nick Cummins confirmed on Wednesday that Cricket Victoria will operate only one Big Bash League team going forward, potentially reviving the Bushrangers name, while the second franchise will be sold off to raise funds.
Historic Clubs to Disappear
The Stars and Renegades, clubs that have been part of the BBL since its inception 15 years ago and have featured legends like Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, will cease to exist in their current form. Cummins stated that the intention is to return to a single team representing all of Victoria, wearing the 'big V', and still based in Melbourne. This move is designed to unite fans under one banner, according to market research conducted earlier this year.
Fan Reaction and Future Plans
Cummins acknowledged that some supporters will be disappointed, as the Stars and Renegades have been a significant part of their lives. However, he expressed hope that the majority would back the new Cricket Victoria-run team. The name 'Bushrangers' is under consideration, but Cricket Victoria is mindful of its gender-specific nature given the existence of a Women's Big Bash League team as well.
The second Victorian franchise will likely be sold to international investors, with IPL multi-club owners showing keen interest. The sale process is expected to take months, leaving the BBL in a transitional phase for the 2026-27 season. One proposal is for the Renegades to continue on a caretaker basis until new owners take over the following year.
Derby to Continue
Cummins assured that the Melbourne derby will remain, featuring the privatised team against Cricket Victoria's side. He noted that the derby could attract even larger crowds, citing the record attendance of over 68,000 fans in January. The second team, he believes, will be able to engage parts of the community that have not been heavily involved in the Big Bash previously.
Cricket Victoria and Cricket New South Wales faced unique challenges in the privatisation process as they each operated two franchises. New South Wales has opted out of the process, along with Queensland.
