BBL 2019-20: Match 16, Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

The match 16 of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) season will see Hobart Hurricanes hosting the Melbourne Stars at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston. This is the first game of this edition at the venue. Both the sides are coming into this match with contrasting results. While the Stars lost to the Strikers by just four runs in a close affair, the Hurricanes edged past the Melbourne Renegades comfortably.

Having said that, the Melbourne Stars had won the previous face-off between the two sides. Marcus Stoinis was the star with the bat for them then with an unbeaten 81 off 54 deliveries. Haris Rauf starred with the ball for the Stars picking a five-wicket haul. However, Dale Steyn has replaced him in the squad after recovering from an injury and will play in this match as well.

Pitch and Conditions

This is the first game of the season at the venue. Last season, the Aurora Stadium hosted two matches and in both matches, the pitch behaved differently. While the first one was a low-scoring affair, the other witnessed 170 being chased down. Both the matches were won by the team batting second.

The rain is in the forecast for this match. According to AccuWeather, it will be cloudy from 7 to 9 PM during the match before the heavens will open up around 10 PM. There is a 55% chance of rain and the DLS method might play a crucial role.

Team Combination

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have included Scott Boland in the 13-man squad for this match. He replaces Tom Rogers who didn’t play the previous game either. There is a possibility that the pacer might play in the XI replacing Clive Rose who hasn’t been effective so far. Also, it remains to be seen if the experiment to open the innings with Simon Milenko continues. He bagged a six-ball duck in the previous outing and is likely to get another opportunity.

With the ball, Riley Meredith, James Faulkner and Qais Ahmad are doing a fine job of restricting the opposition and picking wickets at crucial times.

Probable XI: D’Arcy Short, Simon Milenko, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott (C & WK), David Miller, George Bailey, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Clive Rose/Scott Boland, Qais Ahmad, Riley Meredith.

Melbourne Stars

The Stars have named an unchanged 13-man squad for this encounter. They are unlikely to change the playing XI as well despite losing the last match. They will also take heart from the fact that they have defeated the Hurricanes only a week ago. Though Haris Rauf is no more a part of the squad, Dale Steyn is more than an able replacement and his experience was at fore for them against the Stars.

Stoinis and Maxwell will be key to the Stars’ fortunes with the bat while Lamichhane and Daniel Worrall will assist Steyn in the bowling department.

Probable XI: Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Peter Handscomb (WK), Glenn Maxwell (C), Ben Dunk, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Dale Steyn, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Probable Top Performers

Simon Milenko – Hobart Hurricanes | Peter Handscomb – Melbourne Stars

Broadcast Details

TV– Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 3 HD (Telecast could be shifted to Sony Six and Sony Six HD if England vs South Africa Test ends on Sunday)

Online– Sony LIV

Match Timings – 01:40 PM IST, and 07:10 PM local time

The prediction is for the chasing team to win the match.