Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11
Two top four contenders. Two sides that can light up the BBL on their day. But, both sides are impacted by Australian ODI duty. Who will deliver in an important game?
Adelaide Strikers won’t have Alex Carey, Peter Siddle or Billy Stanlake available for this clash. However, they welcome back skipper Travis Head. Head’s ommission from the Australian ODI squad is to the Strikers’ benefit, with the Test batsman crucial to Adelaide’s successful BBL07 campaign. Can he help deliver an important win for a Strikers side that still possesses quality?
Melbourne Stars struggled in their last outing against Perth Scorchers, clearly missing Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa. These three will be missing for at least the game against Hobart Hurricanes mid next week, which makes this clash a crucial one as the Stars sit on the edge of the top four. Ben Dunk’s half century against the Scorchers would have been a welcome relief to he and his team, but there was not much else to write home about for the Stars. Can they deliver today?
Key to an Adelaide Strikers win
Jake Weatherald has burst into form in the last two games, setting a strong platform for the Strikers. In the absence of Alex Carey, Weatherald will be an important cog in the Strikers’ lineup, along with the experienced Colin Ingram and Travis Head. Ingram needs to deliver more consistently, and here is a good chance against a Stars side missing their key bowling weapons. Head showed decent form in the Tests, and has a fine BBL record. A strong platform from the top order might make it a long night for the Stars.
Also, such is the strong depth in Adelaide Strikers’ squad that they will field a relatively strong attack even with Billy Stanlake and Peter Siddle on Australian duty. Rashid Khan continues to show amazing character, and will be a key weapon against a Stars’ lineup that struggled against Perth Scorchers. With the likes of Michael Neser, Ben Laughlin and Liam O’Connor, the Strikers have wicket taking potential, even though Ben Laughlin has struggled for wickets. Can he fire like AJ Tye did for Perth Scorchers two nights ago?
Key to a Melbourne Stars win
Evan Gulbis and Ben Dunk got the Stars off to a strong start against Perth Scorchers, but there was precious little from the middle order. Seb Gotch was the only other player to reach double figures, and that too at a strike rate of just 81.81, which made the decision to bat Nick Larkin so low down the wrong one. The Stars need another strong start in Adelaide, this time backed by big performances from the likes of Nic Maddinson and Dwayne Bravo, with the latter in particular needing to deliver with the bat. Will the Stars get their batting order right this time?
Also, Dwayne Bravo needs to deliver with the ball. He was left too late to try change the game against the Scorchers, but his two wickets in two balls is the kind of return the Stars’ need to put the pressure on the Strikers’ lineup. However, who else will deliver? Liam Bowe bowled well against the Scorchers, and will be key again, but the likes of Scott Boland and Liam Plunkett must have good outings with three key bowling options missing for the Stars.
ALSO READ: South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd Test Preview & Dream11 Prediction.
Possible Playing 11
As mentioned, Travis Head returns for Adelaide Strikers as they lose three players to ODI duty. Harry Nielsen comes into the squad as wicketkeeper, and Ben Laughlin returns also after hamstring soreness. One of Jono Wells or Matt Short could potentially miss out for team balance purposes.
Adelaide Strikers possible Playing 11: 1. Jake Weatherald, 2. Colin Ingram, 3. Travis Head (c), 4. Matthew Short/Jono Wells, 5. Jake Lehmann, 6. Harry Nielsen (wk), 7. Rashid Khan, 8. Michael Neser, 9. Cameron Valente, 10. Liam O’Connor, 11. Ben Laughlin
Melbourne Stars have made one change to the 13-man squad they picked for their last game against Perth Scorchers. Lance Morris comes in for Tom O’Connell. The Stars could stick with the same XI as two nights ago.
Melbourne Stars possible Playing 11: 1. Evan Gulbis, 2. Ben Dunk, 3. Nic Maddinson (c), 4. Nick Larkin, 5. Seb Gotch (wk), 6. Dwayne Bravo, 7. Jonathan Merlo, 8. Liam Plunkett, 9. Scott Boland, 10. Liam Bowe, 11. Michael Beer
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Dream11 Prediction
- Seb Gotch gets the nod over Adelaide’s Harry Nielsen as he is likely to bat higher.
- Travis Head is one of the BBL’s finest performers. He is two away from 1,000 BBL runs, and scored 374 runs at 53 last season. Also, he demolished Melbourne Stars in BBL07 with 53* off 32 balls. He is also capable of taking wickets.
- Jake Weatherald has two fifties in a row, and is fifth highest run scorer in BBL08 with 203.
- Ben Dunk has 107 runs in his last three innings, including 62 vs Perth Scorchers last match.
- Ben Laughlin has just two wickets in BBL08 so far, but remains a threat in the death overs, especially given the Stars are missing their best players.
- Rashid Khan has 18 wickets in his last 10 T20s, and has made 20+ scores in each of his last two knocks.
ALSO READ: South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd Test Preview & Dream11 Prediction.
Stats and Facts
- Adelaide Strikers have won their last three meetings against Melbourne Stars in Adelaide.
- Rashid Khan is conceding just 4.91 an over in BBL08.
- A win for the Strikers (5th) will see them leapfrog the Stars (4th). The Strikers will move into second.
Match Prediction
Melbourne Stars look a good side with Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa in it.
However, it promises to be a challenging night without them. Adelaide Strikers, despite missing players of their own, look the more polished outfit. Strikers to win.
Thanks for reading!
PS I recently partnered with the great team at onlinecricstore.com
- Purchase any cricket item and get a special discount with my name code: CHARBEL5
- Hope you enjoy my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 Prediction
