MS Finished.179/2 (20) - 68/10 (14.2) AS
Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers Predictions: BBL10 40th Match Preview
15Jan
Cricket Predictions BBL 2020

Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers Predictions: BBL10 40th Match Preview

Betting odds for MS v AS
1.672.31

Stake â‚ą100 wins you â‚ą167

Stake ₹100 wins you ₹231

15.01.2021, 13:45 IST
Melbourne Cricket Ground

Losing multiple games consecutively puts you in a downward spiral, and sometimes that vortex can hold you back even when you get a limb free. This certainly seems to be the case for the Melbourne Stars, who spent quite some time at the apex of the table before having to watch almost all the other teams overtake them one by one. Currently sulking in seventh, the Stars badly need to win their next match to make sure they don’t get left behind. The Stars would have been lower down the table had it not been for the whopping 7 Bash Boost points they have accumulated - a total surpassed only by league leaders Sydney Sixers. Next up, they will face the Adelaide Strikers, who themselves have also been struggling - though not nearly as much as the Stars. Despite winning 5 matches to the Stars’ 3, AS are only 4 points ahead of MS. A win for the Strikers would see them jump up to third or higher, while a win for the Stars would see them back in contention for qualification. Before this heated battle begins, let’s take a look at the two teams.


Melbourne Stars predicted XI, preview, form, and key players for this match

Predicted XI: Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Seb Gotch (wk), Jackson Coleman, Nick Larkin, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Haris Rauf, Liam Hatcher.


Having won just one of their last 7 matches, the Stars badly need to step their game up. They also recently released Ben Dunk due to poor performance, which means any further additions to their already long list of absentee players will mean they will have a hard time fielding a balanced first team. In their last match, which was also against the Strikers, Andre Fletcher was pathetic as usual, but Marcus Stoinis (47) and Nic Maddinson (48) did very well to get an otherwise unimpressive batting performance to a fighting 149. On the defense, the Stars managed to take wickets regularly, with Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell keeping things economical while also picking up 3 wickets between them, but in the end it just wasn’t enough and they lost with an over to go. 


Key players

  • Marcus Stoinis: Stoinis has been in excellent form for the last 3 matches, and chances are he’ll have a good game in the next one.


  • Glenn Maxwell: After his duck in the previous match, Maxwell will be intent on making amends - and fast. 

 

  • Haris Rauf: The Pakistani fast bowler will love the MCG pitch, provided that it has been repaired since the Australia versus India Test.


  • Billy Stanlake: Like Rauf, Stanlake’s pace should be a critical element for the Stars’ bowling attack.



Adelaide Strikers predicted XI, preview, form, and key players for this match

Predicted XI: Alex Carey (c/wk), Wes Agar, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald, Harry Conway, Jonathan Wells, Ryan Gibson, Matt Renshaw, Danny Briggs, Daniel Worrall, Phil Salt.


With Rashid Khan leaving for international duty, the spin side of the Strikers will take a hit. Lucky for them, this next match is about to be held at the more pace-friendly MCG. In their last match, some of their bowlers were excellent in keeping the Stars’ batsmen in check. Daniel Worrall, Wes Agar, and Rashid Khan all picked up two wickets each, with the first two also bowling a maiden each. After limiting the Stars to a mediocre total, the Strikers were able to overtake it thanks to 5 similarly mediocre performances, from which Salt’s 31 and Wells’ 36 stood out. Although they couldn’t grab the Bash Boost point, the Strikers managed to win the match with 5 wickets to spare.


Key players

  • Alex Carey: He wasn’t at his best in the last match, but players like Carey rarely stay out of form for long.


  • Phil Salt: After two good innings in consecutive matches, Salt will be feeling confident about his batting skills.


  • Daniel Worrall: Following his excellent comeback, Worrall will be a pain in the side for the Stars’ batsmen.


  • Wes Agar: Agar’s recent performances have been excellent, and if he’s in good form, the Strikers will have a good chance of winning off the back of just his skills.



MS vs AS weather and pitch conditions

With the Stars already having lost potential points due to the elements, they will look at Fridays dark skies ruefully. There is a 60% chance of rain, with even thunderstorms a possibility. The weather should start off cold and warm up slightly, but the wind chill should make it worse. Let’s just hope we get to see as close to a full game of T20 cricket as the weather will allow. 


The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has traditionally been a difficult pitch for batsmen, with bowlers - especially quick ones - getting plenty out of it. With the majority of the domestic T20 scores at this ground having been less than 160, anything above 165-170 should be a good target to defend. 


Can the Stars pull off a stellar performance when it matters the most? Or will the Strikers manage to leave them behind and head up to elite company? Find out if our Melbourne Stars versus Adelaide Strikers predictions come true on Friday!

Match Winner:
Melbourne Stars
Do you agree with this Prediction?
+1
Toss:
AS
MS Top Batsman:
G Maxwell
AS Top Batsman:
P Salt
MS Top Bowler (Wickets):
H Rauf
AS Top Bowler (Wickets):
W Agar
Players to score a fifty:
G Maxwell/M Stoinis (MS), A Carey/P Salt (AS)
Players to score a century:
G Maxwell
Most fours:
AS
Most sixes:
MS
Want to start with a bonus? Choose the best Betting Site for youWhere are you from?

Who will win the match?

FOLLOW @BettingCric INSTAGRAM