BBL 2019-20: Match 8, Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

The Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes have made winning starts to the 2019-20 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). The Stars rolled over the Brisbane Heat by 22 runs in their first match at the Carrara Oval. After the batters put on a substantial 167 in their 20 overs, the Stars’ bowlers stepped up never allowed any of the Heat’s batsmen, barring Tom Banton, to get under their skins.

On the other hand, the Hurricanes also made a winning start to their BBL campaign, rolling over the Sydney Sixers by 25 runs at the Traeger Park, Alice Springs. The Stars and Hurricanes will now face each other in the first of Sunday’s doubleheader at the Ted Summerton Reserve Moe. On head to head, the Stars have beaten the Hurricanes seven out of 11 times, but lost two games last season.

Pitch and Conditions

Only one BBL match has been played thus far at the ground in Victoria. The Stars beat the Adelaide Strikers by 44 runs, bowling the opposition out for 123. If the track remains similar then, chasing could turn out to be risky. The weather will be nice and sunny with no chances of rain. The temperature will be around the 21 degrees Celsius mark with the humidity in the 30s.

Team Combination

Melbourne Stars

Jonathan Merlo comes into the 13-player squad in place of pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Skipper Glenn Maxwell did well last time, but the other batters need to start making contributions as well. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers last time with three wickets. Daniel Worrall and Haris Rauf also did well with a couple of wickets each.

Probable XI

Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell (C), Ben Dunk, Clint Hinchliffe, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Haris Rauf, Sandeep Lamichhane

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have included Jake Doran and David Moody to the squad at the expense of Bailey and Faulkner. Bailey missing out means Doran is likely to get a go in the next game. The Hurricanes had a tough day with the bat last time, being restricted to 129. Barring Short, the others strained. But most of their bowlers did well with Qais Ahmed being the standout with four wickets.

Probable XI

D’Arcy Short, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott (C & WK), David Miller, George Bailey, Simon Milenko, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Qais Ahmed, Clive Rose, Riley Meredith

Probable Top Performers

Marcus Stoinis – Melbourne Stars |D’Arcy Short – Hobart Hurricanes

Broadcast Details

TV– Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Online– Sony Liv

Match Timings – 09:15 AM IST, and 02:45 PM local time

The prediction is for the team, batting first to win the match.