Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Predictions: BBL 56th Match Preview

And with the second match between the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers, we come full circle and round up the league stage of BBL10. It was this very matchup that started it all in the second week of December, and it is with the two finalists of last year’s competition that the league stages draw to a close. These two teams come into this matchup with contrasting struggles, but a united goal in mind - that of earning points. The Stars need all four to perhaps squeeze through under the closing shutters of the playoff shop, while the Stars need even just the Bash Boost point to remain in the top playoff slot, though they will undoubtedly want more in order to hopefully return to the top of the table after being overtaken by comeback kids Perth Scorchers. Buckle your seatbelts, because this one’s going to be a bumpy ride, and before the engine revs up, let’s take a look at the two teams.

Melbourne Stars

Predicted XI

Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Seb Gotch (wk), Zahir Khan, Nick Larkin, Adam Zampa, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Billy Stanlake, Andre Fletcher.

Preview and form

Points for the Melbourne Stars come and gone like the balding head of a stressed middle-aged man - present in clumps, absent in clumps and stray ones scattered through the gaps. If you think that’s a strange metaphor, then congratulations, because it is bizarre while also being appropriate. The Stars only have 5 wins to their name, but a whopping 9 Bash Boost points have kept them in contention. Faced with a do or die situation, the Stars don’t just have to win and get the Bash Boost point, but also hope that any two of the four teams above them lose their own matches. In their last match, they bowled first to the Perth Scorchers, who whipped up a storm to get to 182 despite Billy Stanlake’s economic bowling and single strikes by four of the Stars’ bowlers. On the chase, Nick Larkin was pretty much a one man army as he blazed to 70 off just 44. The second highest score was Hilton Cartwright’s 23, and unfortunately, the Stars ended up losing by 11 runs.

MS Key players

Nick Larkin: In terrific form as of late, Larkin must fire up one more time to push his team into the second round.

Glenn Maxwell: The veteran all-rounder needs to put in a good performance after a string of poor performances.

Nathan Coulter-Nile: The speedster was uncharacteristically expensive in the last match, and needs to do better if his team are to go through.

Adam Zampa: This skilled leggie needs to use his potential again in order to to dig his team out of the hole it’s in. 

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Sydney Sixers

Predicted XI

Daniel Hughes (c), Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques, James Vince, Jordan Silk, Ben Dwarshuis, Carlos Brathwaite, Daniel Christian, Steve O'Keefe, Sean Abbott, Jake Ball.

It’s been a bad week for the former league leaders, with two straight losses not only pulling them down from the top spot, but also threatening to push them down to third should they fail to get at least another point from their last game. In their previous engagement, they were up against the Hurricanes and failed to get a breakthrough from the first 14.3 overs. Although they picked up 8 wickets by the end of the match, with Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, and Jake Ball picking up 6 between them, the damage was done. Chasing a massive 189 at the MCG, the Sixers’ top order couldn’t do anything substantial, and although Jordan Silk’s 78 and Moises Henriques’ 43 got them close to the target, the failure of their lower order saw them fall short by 7 runs.

SS Key players

Josh Philippe: After two poor performances, Philippe has fallen behind Alex Hales in the pursuit of the Orange Cap, and must regain it with a strong showing.

Jordan Silk: After his superb performance last match went in vain, Silk must repeat the feat or at least come up with something similar this game.

Sean Abbott: Abbott was the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers last game, and we believe he’ll play well in the upcoming match as well.

Ben Dwarshuis: Back in wicket-taking form, Dwarshuis needs to pull off a performance akin to those he did early in the tournament.

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MS vs SS weather conditions and pitch report

By the time this match takes place, there shouldn’t be any more rain, and even if the elements interfere, it shouldn’t be for long. Other than that, it will be somewhat windy, but not enough to cause trouble. The temperature will be falling as we head into the night, so fielders might be a little chilly in the second innings.

The MCG has provided the grounds for many thrillers this season with its healthy balance between bat and ball support, and this one shouldn’t be very different. That being said, it will be the second match of the evening, so the turn might be a little extra sharp in the second innings.

Can the Stars call upon their spirit from the earlier encounter between them to take the harder route into the playoffs? Or will the Sixers fulfill their own dreams of a top berth while disposing of an old rival? Find out if our Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers predictions come true on Tuesday!