Gades, Stars name squads for BBL final

The Stars have recalled left-armer Jackson Coleman in place of batsman Nick Larkin in their 13-man squad for tomorrow’s blockbuster KFC BBL final against the Renegades in Melbourne.

The two franchises will confirm their respective XIs at the bat flip at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the Stars a chance of bringing swing bowler Jackson Bird into the side that beat Hobart on Thursday night.

Allrounder Evan Gulbis didn’t bat or bowl against the Hurricanes, leading to speculation the Stars may bring Bird or even Coleman into their XI to strengthen their bowling attack

"He's been outstanding for us all season," Stars captain Glenn Maxwell said of Bird. 

"We'll sit down, me and Flem (coach Stephen Fleming) tomorrow and discuss what our options are going forward into the final. 

"As we've shown, we're not afraid to make changes even if we win and make sure we have the right team to match up with the opposition. 

"Yeah it'd be nice to have the same team the whole way through but to have the match-ups and the right options for the opposition."

The two spare players in the Renegades' unchanged 13-man squad are spinner Jon Holland and allrounder Jack Wildermuth.

The BBL title will be won by a Melbourne franchise for the very first time after the Renegades secured their maiden final berth with a tense win over the Sixers last night. The Stars made the final in BBL|05, but lost to the Sydney Thunder.

The Stars have won the last six games against their cross-town rival at Marvel Stadium, but Renegades skipper Aaron Finch doesn't believe the Stars necessarily play the ground better or have won a mental edge.

"I don't think we've played at our best when we've played against here against the Stars in the past, particularly the last couple of games," said Finch.

"It's quite strange because the dimensions are almost the exact opposite here to what they are at the MCG. 

"Some days you're slightly off and they've got a very good side, they've got a side that has got match-winners all throughout their side – as we feel we do. 

"I don't think it's anything mental, it's just a little bit of execution on the day."

Melbourne Renegades: Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Harry Gurney, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Cameron White, Kane Richardson, Chris Tremain, Jack Wildermuth

Melbourne Stars: Glenn Maxwell (c), Jackson Bird, Dwayne Bravo, Jackson Coleman, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Worrall, Adam Zampa

The 2018-19 KFC BBL Final will be on Sunday Feb 17 at 2.45pm AEDT at Marvel Stadium. Tickets on sale here