The Melbourne Renegades are without imports Joe Clarke and Mujeeb Ur Rahman for the rest of what is becoming a nightmare Big Bash League season.
The Renegades are 1-5 and at the bottom of the ladder after Tuesday night's derby loss to the Stars, who are on a four-game winning streak.
Clarke has a quad injury and the English opener will be sidelined for at least three weeks, while Mujeeb is out of action because of a contract dispute with the Afghan cricket board.
The wet conditions meant the MCG wicket was spin-friendly and with Mujeeb unavailable the Renegades turned to Jono Wells, who hasn't bowled in the BBL for 11 years, for an over of off-spin.
"We missed Mujeeb dearly ... we probably needed two spinners (Mujeeb and Adam Zampa) out there," acting captain Will Sutherland said.
Asked if in-form Mujeeb might play for the Renegades again this season, Sutherland replied: "No good as well, so there will be good opportunities there for a few guys."
Sutherland lost the toss, which also proved costly; the Stars restricting the Renegades to 7-97 as the game was shortened to 14 overs apiece because of a pre-game rain delay.
With captain Glenn Maxwell and opener Tom Rogers firing, the Stars cruised to 2-98 with two overs to spare.
"We just didn't give ourselves a chance with wickets in hand at the end (of the innings)," Sutherland said.
"In hindsight, it was actually a big toss. It would have been nice (to win it)."
Adding to the Renegades' woes, captain Nic Maddinson remains sidelined because of form, while veteran Aaron Finch also is out of the lineup.
"We need to get some wins for our fans, first and foremost, and build some momentum," Sutherland said.
