Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Match 8: MS vs HH Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BBL09 Match Prediction Today | MS vs HH Dream11 | Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Players to Watch | Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Preview Dream11 Prediction

ALSO READ: BBL09 Match 11 December 24 2019: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades Preview Dream11

From Alice Springs to Moe, the Big Bash League brings cricket to regional areas of Australia.

Hobart Hurricanes will be involved in the season’s first two games in regional Australia, this time in country Victoria. It was some victory in Alice Springs, led by one of the great BBL spells from Qais Ahmed. However, whether they can deal well with a short turnaround less than 48 hours since the heat of Alice Springs remains to be seen.

But, Melbourne Stars are in a similar boat. Winners on the Gold Coast on Friday night, the Stars return to a ground where they had some success at last season. Glenn Maxwell made a big statement last game with the bat, of which the bowlers followed up well despite the brilliance of Tom Banton. Can they make it two straight wins?

Also read: Check out CricBlog’s coverage of international cricket: India vs West Indies 3rd ODI Preview and Dream11 Prediction

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Glenn Maxwell is coming off one of his finest BBL knocks. Also, he enjoys playing the Hurricanes: 247 runs at an avg. of 61 and SR 162.50.
• D’Arcy Short, leading run-scorer of the past two seasons, has kicked off BBL09 with a 50+ score. A crucial player in this clash.
• Marcus Stoinis didn’t bowl for the Stars last game, but his batting remains a threat. He scored 533 runs at 53.30 in BBL08.
• Qais Ahmed is coming off a memorable spell of 4/12. Also, he took 3/33 vs Stars last season, and will be a threat on the slower Moe pitch.
• Watch out for Adam Zampa on the Moe track. He is coming off a three-fer vs Heat.
• Daniel Worrall (4/23) was man-of-the-match the last time Stars played the Hurricanes.
• Simon Milenko provided value for the Hurricanes last game (2/29).
• Haris Rauf made a fine start to BBL cricket last game (2/20).

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Head-to-Head:

• Matches 11, Stars 7, Hurricanes 4.
• The Stars won the last meeting vs Hurricanes, which was the qualifying match into last year’s Final.
• Note: George Bailey and James Faulkner are out for the Hurricanes.

Key to a Melbourne Stars win

Glenn Maxwell rescued the Stars’ flailing innings vs the Heat. On a Moe pitch expected to slow down as the match progresses, the onus is on the top order to fare better than they did in their first match to set a platform for the middle order.

Also, one gets the feeling that this Stars’ bowling attack will enjoy bowling on the Moe pitch. Slower in nature, the spinners, as well as the likes of Daniel Worrall and Haris Rauf, can work at restricting the Hurricanes’ scoring, much like the Sixers did two days ago in Alice Springs.

Key to a Hobart Hurricanes win

No George Bailey means plenty rests on D’Arcy Short, Ben McDermott and David Miller. Short was strong on a slow Alice Springs pitch, but more is needed from a Hurricanes middle order that couldn’t quite get going last time out. Can they fare better in what could be a similar pitch?

But, with Qais Ahmed in such form, anything is possible. His magnificent 4/12 paved the way for a stunning win vs the Sixers, and if he can weave his magic again, the Hurricanes are in with a chance. Also, can the likes of Riley Meredith and Simon Milenko provide able support again?

Possible Playing 11

George Bailey and James Faulkner have been ruled out of this clash. Jake Doran and David Moody come into the squad.

Hobart Hurricanes: 1. D’Arcy Short, 2. Caleb Jewell, 3. Ben McDermott (c & wk), 4. David Miller, 5. Mac Wright, 6. Simon Milenko, 7. David Moody/Tom Rogers, 8. Nathan Ellis, 9. Qais Ahmed, 10. Clive Rose, 11. Riley Meredith

For Melbourne Stars, Jonathan Merlo comes into the 13-man squad for Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has an ankle injury. In terms of the playing XI, it could be the same as the win vs Heat.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Nic Maddinson, 2. Marcus Stoinis, 3. Hilton Cartwright, 4. Peter Handscomb (wk), 5. Glenn Maxwell (c), 6. Ben Dunk, 7. Clint Hinchliffe/Jonathan Merlo, 8. Adam Zampa, 9. Daniel Worrall, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Sandeep Lamichhane

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!

Pitch and Conditions

A nice, sunny afternoon is forecast for Moe (25 degrees). In terms of the pitch, the game last season saw quite a slow track, with the Stars bowlers rewarded for bowling into the pitch.

Also read: Check out CricBlog’s coverage of international cricket: India vs West Indies 3rd ODI Preview and Dream11 Prediction

Dream11 Prediction

ALSO READ: BBL09 Match 11 December 24 2019: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades Preview Dream11

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

The loss of George Bailey is a blow for the Hurricanes. While the likes of D’Arcy Short and Qais Ahmed can hold the Hurricanes in good stead, the Stars might get home in a close battle.

Thanks for reading!

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