Cricket Victoria has announced it will cease operating both the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades as part of a major reset driven by the privatisation of Australian cricket. Chief executive Nick Cummins confirmed on Wednesday that from now on, Cricket Victoria will run only a single Big Bash League team, potentially reviving the historic Bushrangers name, while the second franchise will be sold off to raise funds.
The decision ends the 15-year history of the Stars and Renegades, clubs that featured legends such as Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. Cummins said the new team would be for all Victorians and would wear the 'big V', based on market research that showed fans would support a Victorian team but not a second city-based side. The Bushrangers previously competed in the state-based T20 competition that predated the BBL.
The other Victorian franchise is expected to be sold to international investors, likely from the IPL's multi-club owners, though the process may take months. During the 2026-27 season, the BBL will be in transition, and one proposal is for the Renegades to continue on a caretaker basis until new owners take over the following year.
The Australian Cricketers' Association expressed concern, with chief executive Paul Marsh urging patience and stating that the game is not unified on a way forward. He said discussion of privatisation before the coming season is premature and called for all stakeholders to find the best model for the future.
Cummins acknowledged that some fans will be disappointed but hopes the majority will support the new team. He confirmed that the Melbourne derby will remain, and could even be bigger than before, noting that the January derby attracted over 68,000 fans, the highest attendance of the BBL season.
