BBL 2018/19, Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars: Preview and Predicted Playing XI
Adelaide Strikers are set to host the Melbourne Stars in the 27th game of the Big Bash League at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, January 11. Both teams have faced each other seven times in the BBL history with the latter leading the scoreline 4-3.
In their previous encounter during the last season, Strikers won the game by eight wickets. Batting first, the Stars posted 151/6 in their quota of twenty overs, but Adelaide overhauled the target comprehensively by eight wickets and eight balls to spare.
Adelaide Strikers
Strikers have won three and lost as many matches out of the six fixtures they have played so far in BBL 2019 and are currently placed fifth on the points table with six points.
Batting
Jake Weatherald has been their most successful batsman so far with 203 runs in six games and in the absence of Alex Carey, he will be their key batsman and will bear the responsibility to get team towards a good total. Skipper Colin Ingram is a destructive batsman and has the potential to change the game on his own. The skipper has scored 120 runs in six games including a 43-ball 75 against Sydney Thunder.
Travis Head is back for the game and his inclusion in the side will certainly help Strikers in the batting department.
Bowling
The Strikers bowling will depend mainly on Rashid Khan and Michael Nesser to deliver the goods. Rashid has been their leading wicket-taker with ten wickets while Nesser managed five scalps in six outings and these two will pose the biggest threat to the Stars batsmen.
Expected Playing XI
Colin Ingram (C), Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Matthew Short, Jon Wells, Cameron Valente, Michael Neser, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Liam O Connor, and Nick Winter.
Melbourne Stars
Like Adelaide, Stars have also won three and lost as many matches out of the six fixtures they have played so far and are currently placed on the sixth position in the standings with six points.
Batting
Ben Dunk scored an impressive 63 against Perth and Stars will need him to come up with a similar show against Stars. He along with Evan Gulbis holds they key in their batting and it'll be essential that these two put up a strong opening stand to lay down a foundation for others to follow.
Meanwhile, the return of Nic Madison is seen as a major boost for the Stars. He was in superb batting form before fracturing his arm in December and will be eager to mark his comeback with a strong performance.
Bowling
Dwayne Bravo with nine wickets in six games has been their strike bowler so far and he will be expected to rattle the Adelaide top order during powerplay overs. Except him, Liam Plunkett and Scott Boland are two other good options in their ranks.
Expected Playing XI
Nic Maddinson (C), Ben Dunk, Evan Gulbis, Nic Maddinson, Jonathan Merlo, Seb Gotch, Dwayne Bravo, Nick Larkin, Liam Plunkett, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, and Michael Beer.