Melbourne Stars and Renegades will merge this season, as Cricket Victoria plans to sell their second Big Bash franchise license entirely to a private investor.

Cricket Victoria will kill off the Melbourne Stars and Renegades brands to merge them into one team under the state banner.

Cricket Victoria will kill off the Melbourne Stars and Renegades brands to merge them into one team under the state banner.

The two Australian Big Bash franchises based in Melbourne are to merge as private equity interest in the T20 league intensifies.

Melbourne Stars and Renegades will merge this season, as Cricket Victoria plans to sell their second Big Bash franchise license entirely to a private investor.

Melbourne is expected to remain part of the franchise's identity, while officials are still working through options for the second half of the name. | Cricket