BBL 2018-19, Match 39, Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

The Strikers were thumped by the Hurricanes in the last game.

Published - 22 Jan 2019, 19:09 IST | Updated - 22 Jan 2019, 19:09 IST

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In a must-win encounter for both the teams, the Melbourne Stars will face off with the Adelaide Strikers in Moe, Victoria. This will be the first professional game that’ll be played at the Ted Summerton Reserve. Hence, it’d be a lot of guesswork for these teams while trying to assess the pitch, conditions and various other factors ahead of this crucial contest.

The last time these two teams met this summer, it was the Strikers who emerged victorious courtesy brilliance from Travis Head and Colin Ingram with the bat. Ben Laughlin & Co. followed it up with the ball in hand as the home team managed a 41-run win. Taking into account the head to head stats, both these teams won four games each and it should be an interesting contest.

Pitch and Conditions

The drop-in pitch to be used at the venue might be slightly on the slower side. Extremely hot conditions will greet both the sides for this game. In this must-win contest, the team winning the toss might want to bowl first despite the heat as the pitch is a new one. There could be some assistance for the spinners.

Team Combinations

Melbourne Stars

With the return of most of their international players, the Melbourne Stars look a great side on paper. Some big names like Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa are back. These players will bolster the side significantly. Especially, having someone like a Maxwell or a Stoinis changes the dynamics of the team completely and these players will hope the take the team over the line. A decision has to be made between Ben Dunk and Seb Gotch.

Predicted XI: Ben Duck/Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, DJ Bravo, Jackson Bird, Liam Plunkett, Adam Zampa, Tom O’Connell.

Adelaide Strikers

The Adelaide Strikers are expected to take forward the same eleven from the previous one. Even though the players have failed terribly, it is a learning curve for them and they’ll hope to get better from here. Skipper Colin Ingram along with Alex Carey will hold the key with the bat. One bowler between Ben Laughlin and Wes Agar could be picked in the eleven for the upcoming game.

Predicted XI: Jake Weatherland, Alex Carey (wk), Matthew Short, Colin Ingram (c), Jonathan Wells, Cameron Valente, Michael Neser, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin/Wes Agar, Liam O’Connor, Billy Stanlake.