In Match 26 of Big Bash League Season 15 (BBL|15), Perth Scorchers return to Optus Stadium on Wednesday to face Melbourne Renegades. Currently occupying second place on the table with a 4-2 win record, the Scorchers are searching for their fourth consecutive victory – a result that would effectively cement their position within the top four.

Perth has turned their home ground into an impenetrable fortress, remaining undefeated in their last three matches at the venue. This dominance is fuelled by a high-performing core of local stars, including Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner, Aaron Hardie and the versatile Cooper Connolly. Their collective form has made the Scorchers one of the most balanced and intimidating units in the competition this season.

In contrast, the Melbourne Renegades arrive with a 2-3 record, desperately trying to keep their season alive. They travel to Perth with some renewed confidence after snapping a losing streak via a dramatic ‘derby’ win over the Stars, highlighted by a decisive knock from Josh Brown.

PS vs MR, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 26; 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 4:15 pm Local
• Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth

PS vs MR, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 21 | Perth Scorchers won: 16 | Melbourne Renegades won: 05 | No result/Tied: 0

Perth Stadium Pitch Report

Optus Stadium in Perth is renowned for offering significant extra bounce and raw pace, which play directly into the hands of the bowling attack. Batters can expect a difficult time handling the fast bowlers, particularly when they target a hard length, making it difficult to score freely.

In addition to the surface speed, the large square boundaries provide an extra layer of protection for the bowlers, forcing batters to take higher risks to clear the rope. Historically, conditions favour the bowlers early on; however, as the pitch levels out, the surface typically becomes slightly more manageable for batting during the second innings.

Squads

Perth Scorchers: Mitchell Marsh, Sam Fanning, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner (c), Nick Hobson, Brody Couch, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Jhye Richardson, Laurie Evans, Joel Paris, David Payne, Corey Rocchiccioli

Melbourne Renegades: Josh Brown, Tim Seifert, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Oliver Peake, Will Sutherland (c), Matthew Spoors, Gurinder Sandhu, Caleb Jewell, Jason Behrendorff, Hassan Khan, Sam Elliott, Callum Stow, Andrew Tye

Also READ: BBL|15 – Jamie Overton shines in Adelaide Strikers’ thrilling win over Sydney Thunder

PS vs MR, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Perth Scorchers wins the toss and bowls first
• Melbourne Renegades’ powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Melbourne Renegades’ total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• Melbourne Renegades wins the toss and bowls first
• Perth Scorchers’ powerplay score: 60-70 (6 overs)
• Perth Scorchers’ total score: 170-180

Match result: Perth Scorchers to win the contest.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Stuart Broad reveals the truth behind verbal altercation between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne

Aryna Sabalenka (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images for Tennis Australia)

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has pushed back against the criticism surrounding her much-debated “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, saying the negative reaction left her feeling “sad” and misunderstood. The Belarusian, who lost 6-3, 6-3 to Kyrgios in the high-profile Dubai exhibition in late December, addressed the controversy while speaking at the season-opening Brisbane International on Tuesday. The event drew widespread attention but also sparked questions about its purpose, with critics suggesting it was driven more by money and broadcast appeal than sporting value. The match was organised by the agency that represents both players. “What I’m sad about is that some people got it wrong, the whole idea of that event,” Sabalenka said. She insisted the exhibition was never meant to prove a point or settle a gender debate, but rather to showcase tennis in a different light. “It was fun. It was a great challenge. I think we brought so many eyes on tennis,” she added. “It wasn’t about proving something to anyone.” Sabalenka explained that the intention was to demonstrate the sport’s ability to attract attention beyond traditional formats. “It was about to show that tennis can be really huge and we can bring a lot of attention on the exhibition match, which usually never happen, and we just proved that. That’s all it was about,” she said. Not everyone in the women’s game shared that view. World number two Iga Swiatek questioned the need for such an event, saying on Saturday that women’s tennis did not require a crossover spectacle to validate itself “because I feel like women’s tennis stands on its own right now”. The choice of Kyrgios as Sabalenka’s opponent also fuelled debate. The Australian has previously admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2021 and has, in the past, been forced to distance himself from misogynistic comments, adding another layer of controversy to the exhibition. Held on December 28, the match featured modified rules designed to offset physical differences between the players, but it drew inevitable comparisons to the original and iconic 1973 Battle of the Sexes. That historic encounter, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, carried far greater significance. At the time, the women’s professional tour founded by King was fighting for recognition, equal prize money and legitimacy. King, then at the peak of her career, defeated the 55-year-old Riggs in straight sets, creating a defining moment in sporting and social history.

PALGHAR: An alleged ragging incident at a private medical college hostel in Maharashtra’s Palghar district has led to police action and the suspension of a hostel warden and a teacher, after a female student was reportedly forced to perform namaz, according to news agency PTI. The incident occurred on Sunday night at the institute located in Posheri village of Wada taluka. It triggered tension on campus and drew protests from right-wing groups, following which police were deployed to prevent any disturbance. Police registered an FIR on Monday night. Early findings indicate that the episode may be linked to ragging, an official said. According to the complaint, the victim is a first-year physiotherapy student from Nashik. She alleged that while she was on the fifth floor of the hostel, she was stopped by a girl whose face was covered. The accused allegedly tried to force her to perform Islamic prayers and continued to pressure her even after she refused, leaving her frightened. “The victim informed her family the following morning, who then approached the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) after allegedly receiving no response from the college management,” a police official said. Palghar Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh visited the campus to assess the situation. “We have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act. We are scanning the CCTV footage and recording statements of other students to identify the accused,” SP Deshmukh said, adding that strict action would be taken against those found guilty. Amid public outrage, the college administration suspended a hostel warden and a teacher as part of its immediate action. VHP activists later submitted a written complaint to the police, demanding a high-level probe into the college’s functioning. They claimed that similar incidents had occurred earlier as well. However, a representative of the college management denied these allegations, stating that no such incident had taken place in the past, while assuring full cooperation with the police investigation. Police deployment remains heavy in the area to ensure peace and maintain communal harmony.

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MUMBAI: Vakola police arrested a 25-year-old homemaker who allegedly slashed the private parts of her relative for refusing to marry her, after celebrating the New Year with him on January 1 at her home in Santacruz East. Police said she was on the run with her husband and two sons after the incident. The accused was tracked down to her sister’s home in Ghaziabad and the police compelled her to return to Mumbai and arrested her on Monday.The victim, a 44-year-old autorickshaw driver who is the brother of the accused’s sister-in-law and lives in the same neighbourhood as her in Santacruz East, underwent surgery at Sion Hospital on Jan 1 itself, police said.Police said the victim and the accused were in a relationship for the past seven years, which her husband aware of. “On Dec 19, the accused returned from Bihar. According to the victim, on Dec 24, she threatened the victim as he refused to marry her as he too is married, and then attacked him. On the other hand, the accused claimed she took the extreme step as the victim had been blackmailing her into maintaining physical relations with her,” said a Vakola police officer.Police said the accused remained in custody after she was produced before the court on Tuesday.She was earlier booked for causing hurt or grievous hurt using dangerous weapons and criminal intimidation. After her arrest, BNS Section 109 for attempt to murder was added to the FIR.“The accused’s intention was to kill. After committing the offence, she left home with her two sons aged five and seven, and called her husband to meet her before boarding a train to Ghaziabad. She had narrated the incident to her husband,” said a police officer.Police said the incident took place in the early hours on Jan 1 at the accused’s home in Santacruz. The victim told the police he visited the accused’ after she called him to celebrate the New Year and served him sweets. “Later, she offered him water, got physical with him, and suddenly slashed his private parts. He rushed out and ran to his home and got the help of his friend and his son to reach V N Desai Hospital before being transferred to Sion Hospital,” said an officer.