There are few traditions in Australian sport as cherished as Boxing Day cricket, and this Friday the SCG hosts a blockbuster. BBL|15 Match between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars. It’s a battle of contrasting speeds: The Stars are flying high at the top of the table, aiming for a third straight win, while the Sixers are fighting to prove their recent resurgence was no fluke.
The Sixers enter this Match 11 clash with renewed confidence. After shaky starts against the Scorchers and Strikers, they turned the corner sharply in the Sydney Derby. Their 47th over demolition of the Thunder was built on the masterclasses of Josh Phillippe and Babar Azam. This earned them a magnificent 198. However, it was Jack Edwards who really stole the show, tearing apart the Thunder with a stunning backhand to prove the Sixers were back in business.
Standing in their way is a Star Dress in giant weave. They have been clinical so far, highlighted recently by their six-wicket demolition of the Strikers. Their bowling attack is led by Haris Rauf’s raw pace and smarts Tom CurranHe restricted Adelaide to a sub-par 155 over. The chase was easily managed as Marcus Stoinis and Sam Harper led the side home with six wickets in hand.
With the Sixers finding their groove and the Stars looking invincible, the SCG is set for a classic encounter.
SS vs MS, BBL|15: Match details
- Date and Time: December 26; 12:35 PM IST / 7:05 AM GMT / 6:05 PM Local
- Location: Sydney Cricket Ground
SS vs MS, Head-to-head record in the BBL
Matches played: 24 | Sydney Sixers won: 15 | Melbourne Stars Won: 08 | No Results/Closes: 01
Sydney Cricket Ground Report
The SCG rarely disappoints, usually serving up genuine competition between bat and ball rather than leaning too much to one side. For fast bowlers, there is usually some life in the early pitch; If they can find that early movement, expect the quicks to dictate terms with the new ball.
However, batters who respect the magic of this opening will find the surface nicely laid out. Once the players draw their eyes in, the ball comes well on the bat and the lightning-fast pitch provides full value to the innings. As the ball softens in the middle, spinners often come into play to control the pace. With an average first innings score hovering around 160, history shows that the pitch plays best early, making it the likely strategy of a toss-winning captain.
Groups
Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Thomas Fraser Rogers, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Harris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Liam Hatcher, Hamish McKenzie, Jonathan Merleau
Sydney Sixers: Daniel Hughes, Babar Azam, Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Jordan Silk, Ben Dwarshuis, Kane Richardson, Sean Abbott, Jafer Chohan, Ben Manenti, Lachlan Shaw, Jake Scott
Also WATCH: Tom Curran knocks down the stumps of Jason Sangha in BBL|15
SS vs MSBBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Sydney Sixers win the toss and bat first
- Sydney Sixers power play score: 50-55 (6 overs)
- Sydney Sixers Total Score: 170-180
Case 2:
- Melbourne Stars take first in the toss
- Melbourne Stars power play score: 45-50 (6 overs)
- Melbourne Stars Total Score: 160-170
Match result: The team to bat first to win the competition.
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