The Melbourne derby hinges on a nasty storm front that is wreaking havoc ahead of the scheduled BBL clash at the MCG, while drama has also ensued off the pitch.
The Stars and Renegades are slated to play at 7:15pm AEDT, but flash flooding, damaging winds and hailstorms began to roll through the city on Tuesday afternoon.
A cancelled match would bring the Stars’ winning run to a halt, with the side in the midst of a brilliant turnaround to win the last three matches.
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Should the match go ahead, Renegades spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will not take part amid a contract disagreement with the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
The board withdrew clearance for him to play, with Mujeeb’s future for the rest of the season also currently unknown.
Mujeeb’s eligibility stems from a change to his No Objection Certificate, with he and fast bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi asking to be released from their Afghanistan central contracts from January 1.
Sanctions include not being allowed to play T20 leagues for the next two years and the withdrawal of any current No Objection Certificates.
“The insistence on not signing the central contract for these players was their involvement in commercial leagues, prioritising their personal interests over playing for Afghanistan, which is regarded as a national responsibility,” the ACB said in a statement last week.
“By opting for their release, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to take disciplinary measures against these players.”
The Renegades won their first match of the season in their last start, defeating the Adelaide Strikers after dropping skipper Nic Maddinson.
The Stars sit fourth on the ladder heading into the match.
At this stage, the match is slated to go ahead.
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