The Melbourne Stars host the Sydney Sixers at the MCG in a high-profile clash that could shape the mid-table battle of BBL|15. With the Stars at No. 3 and the Sixers at No. 4, this matchup is a battle for momentum as the tournament heads into the business end.
The headline act for this fixture is Family Feud. Tom Curran He has been a standout player for the Stars with both bat and ball this season, playing a vital role in the recent derby. Now he faces his younger brother, Sam CurranHe joined the Sydney Sixers. Sam’s arrival adds world-class all-around depth to the Sixers, and seeing the two brothers go head-to-head in the ‘G’ will be a landmark moment for the league.
The Stars started the season with four straight wins, but lost their last two games (against the Heat and Renegades) to pick up the momentum. form of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis with the bat. Both failed in the derby and Stars rely heavily on an explosive middle order. The highest order led by the tournament’s leading run scorer Sam Harperengaged in hard work.
The Sixers have had a rollercoaster season, currently sitting at 3 wins and 3 losses. They come into this match coming off a solid win in a low-scoring thriller against the Brisbane Heat. Curran’s inclusion is massive. Replaces Kane Richardson (omitted/rested) or likely slots for a spinner to bolster the bowling and lower-order batting. Babar Azam has shown flashes of class but will be looking to dominate on the big MCG stage.
MS vs SS, BBL|15: Match details
- Date and Time: January 8; 13:00 IST / 9:15 GMT / 19:15 Local
- Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
MS vs SS head to head record in BBL
Matches played: 25 | Melbourne Stars won: 09 | Sydney Sixers won: 15 | No Results/Closed: 01
Melbourne Cricket Ground Pitch Report
The field is generally balanced this season. In the last derby, Stars posted a chasing 173, which offered a good batting deck that offered value for the innings. Big boundaries at the MCG always attract the spinners, but the seamers (Rauf, Siddle, Abbott) will enjoy the start of the haul. The second innings has been somewhat favorable at the MCG in recent times as teams can accelerate their chase on the big pitch.
Teams:
Melbourne Stars: Thomas Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Sam Hayne, Liam Hatcher, Hamish McKenzie
Sydney Sixers: Daniel Hughes, Babar Azam, Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Ben Manenti, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Sam Curran, Mitchell Perry, Lachlan Shaw
MS vs SS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Melbourne Stars go first in the toss
- Sydney Sixers power play score: 50-55 (6 overs)
- Sydney Sixers Total Score: 170-180
Case 2:
- Sydney Sixers win the toss first
- Melbourne Stars powerplay score: 45-50 (6 overs)
- Melbourne Stars Total Score: 160-170
Match result: The first bowling team to win the competition.
Also READ: BBL|15: Jamie Overton shines in Adelaide Strikers’ thrilling win over Sydney Thunder
