BBL10 | Match Preview: Stars face Strikers in a must win affair

Abhishek Singh

The 10th edition of the Big Bash League is reaching its business end and Melbourne Stars must win to stake their claim at the playoffs spot. At 16 points from nine games, they have only five matches to make a case for themselves, and having lost two on a trot, they cannot afford to lose yet again. One more loss and they might just be out of the race and would then have to depend on other teams’ results. It is in this condition that they face the Adelaide Strikers at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

Strikers need to push hard sans Rashid Khan

It is not just Stars that need the victory, even the Strikers have only 20 points from their nine games and couldn’t be considered to be safe to go to the playoffs either. To add to the points table pressure, they will be without the services of spin magician Rashid Khan which would be a big setback for the team. It is at this moment that the other spinner, Englishman Danny Briggs would have to take charge. He has so far been effective and has taken eight wickets from 10 games at a decent economy of less than eight. 

Alongside him the other spinner, whoever takes Rashid’s place, it might also be a pacer in Cameron Valente in the team would have to be at the mark as well. But apart from the spinners, others like Wes Agar and batsmen like skipper Alex Carey and Jake Weatherald’s contribution would be crucial as well. 

Stars need Maxwell to bring his 'A' game on fore

Glenn Maxwell has not been able to make a mark in the last three games for the Stars as he has been out for 0,0 and 6 in those games. There could never have been a more opportune moment for him to get his things back in slack and power his team to a win. It is not as if he has not been in form in this league. He has rather hit two fifties and one of them came back just three matches away. So he has the form with him, it’s just the application that needs to be there. 

Along with Maxwell, other batters like Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, and Marcus Stoinis need to get back into the groove as well. Batting is the strength of the Stars and they need to prove that it indeed is in the upcoming game. 

Stars vs Strikers: Match Details

Match Number- 40

Date & Time- Jan 15, 2021, 1:45:00 PM IST, 08:15 AM GMT, 07:15 pm LOCAL

Venue- Melbourne Cricket Ground

Broadcast: Sony Six and Sony LIV

Pitch Report

This is going to be the first game of the BBL10 at MCG and as it has happened over the last few years, the ‘G provides a solid T20 wicket with plenty for both the batters and bowlers. This year too, considering the strength of the home team a true wicket is expected where the shots are on if you hit well and bowlers to get some pace and bounce off the track. 

Weather and Bat Flip

The chances of a light shower are there and 1.4mm of precipitation is expected between 07:0 0 pm and 10:00 pm, which means the match would be interrupted. In such a scenario, the team winning the Bat Flip would look to bowl first. 

Stars Strongest XI

Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell (c), Seb Gotch (wk), Adam Zampa, Sam Rainbird, Liam Hatcher, Haris Rauf

Strikers  Strongest XI

Matt Renshaw, Philip Salt, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jonathan Wells, Jake Weatherald, Ryan Gibson, Cameron Valente, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Harry Conway

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