Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Qualifier: MS vs SS Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MS vs SS Dream11 Today | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11 | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Key Players | MS vs SS Dream11 Prediction

Finishing first has been a curse throughout BBL history. Only once has the top-placed team gone on to win the tournament, so it will be interesting to see whether the change in the BBL Finals’ format changes this.

Melbourne Stars, though, need to focus on a strong performance. They come into the playoffs on the back of three straight losses, and while they shouldn’t be too worried about that, it is important they hit their stride right away in the games that really matter.

Why? Because Sydney Sixers are certainly a danger opponent. They have been thereabouts consistently in the BBL playoffs, and now have the chance to haunt the Stars in a playoffs situation to go straight to the Final.

So, will the Stars overcome their awful record in playoffs and prove their doubters wrong? Or will the Sixers put them under too much pressure that they can’t cope?

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Stars vs Sixers at MCG? Marcus Stoinis should be excited. He scored a BBL-record 147* (79) against Sixers on this ground earlier in BBL09. Also, he is ready to bowl.
• Glenn Maxwell has the most runs in Stars-Sixers matches by some distance (411). No other player even has 300 in this meeting.
• In such a crucial game, Maxwell needs to have a big impact. The Stars need him to at least meet his average of 45 and SR 163.75 vs Sixers.
• How brilliant was Moises Henriques when these sides met just under two weeks ago? His 72 (31) turned the game in Sixers’ favour.
• Henriques averaged 13 vs Stars before BBL09. This season, he has scored 41 (30) and 72 (31) against them.
• Steve Smith is coming off a fine 66* (40) vs Renegades.
• Josh Philippe has the potential to derail the Stars’ hopes. He has scored 52* and 61 in his last two games, after a lean run of form. Can he improve on his average of 8 in four games against them?
• James Vince has also looked in decent touch in recent games, but has to go on with his starts. He has made 20+ in six of his last 10 games, with one fifty. However, he did score a fine 41* (22) vs Stars.
• Tom Curran has left for England duty. But, Sean Abbott, who took 11 wickets in five BBL09 games, returns from injury. Can he have an immediate impact?
• Another big name in BBL is also back: Haris Rauf. He has been one of the big stars of the tournament, with 16 wickets in seven matches.
• There will be no Sandeep Lamichhane, so Adam Zampa will have a key role to play as the Stars’ lead spinner. He has taken 2/19, 1/22 and 3/27 in his last three games in Melbourne.
• Ben Dwarshuis has the most wickets in Stars-Sixers matches (12).

Head-to-Head

• Matches 12, Stars 7, Sixers 5.
• Stars lead 4-2 in meetings at the MCG.
• Both sides won a game each against each other in BBL09. Marcus Stoinis (147*) and Moises Henriques (71) were the stars.

Possible Playing 11

The Stars’ batting line-up has changed multiple times throughout the season. Now, in a game that is important to win, it remains to be seen what approach they go with.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Seb Gotch (wk), 2. Marcus Stoinis, 3. Nick Larkin, 4. Peter Handscomb, 5. Glenn Maxwell (c), 6. Nic Maddinson, 7. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 8. Clint Hinchliffe, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Daniel Worrall

Sean Abbott replaces Tom Curran in the Sixers’ 13-man squad.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Josh Philippe (wk), 2. James Vince, 3. Steve Smith. 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Daniel Hughes, 6. Jordan Silk, 7. Sean Abbott, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Steve O’Keefe, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

MCG Pitch Report and Conditions

A very hot day in Melbourne (41 degrees). There is a chance for an evening shower, but it’s minimal.

In terms of the pitch, the MCG track has had something in it for everyone in BBL09. AB de Villiers lit up the place with a superb display of hitting, along with Marcus Stoinis vs Sixers earlier in the tournament.

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Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

The winner of this match could very well go on to win the tournament. It is that important.

Sydney Sixers have been in better form in recent games, but you get the feeling the Stars have been waiting for this one after sewing up first spot a few weeks back. So, it promises to be a great game.

However, despite this, the Sixers side looks very good on paper, and could just nip this one out in a close match.

Thanks for reading!

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