Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers Preview Dream11
Wednesday afternoon BBL action in country Victoria. It is an exciting day for the people of Moe, and another important clash in the race for the BBL08 top four.
Melbourne Stars welcomed back their ODI representatives for their Melbourne Derby clash against the Renegades on Saturday, and it was Marcus Stoinis who was unstoppable. It was a crucial victory for the Stars, arresting a three-match losing run, and resurrecting their finals hopes in the process. They play a side looking to arrest their own slide, and will want to give the people of Moe something positive to remember in the race to the finals.
The side looking to arrest their slide is defending champions Adelaide Strikers. They will take the field less than 48 hours after they were utterly humiliated by the Hobart Hurricanes, which can be a positive, giving the Strikers the opportunity to put a poor night behind them. Their bowling looks a little toothless at the moment, and their batting inconsistent, but as the table remains tight, a win or two puts you right back in the mix. Now is the time for the Strikers to fire.
Key to a Melbourne Stars win
The Melbourne Stars’ attack looks so much more potent with the all-rounders in the side. Marcus Stoinis provided so much quality with the ball against the Renegades, but was part of a brilliant bowling effort where all the other bowlers, bar Tom O’Connell, were in the wickets. In Liam Plunkett, Jackson Bird, Adam Zampa and Dwayne Bravo, along with Stoinis, the Stars have wicket taking ability, and can look to take advantage of a Strikers side struggling a little with the bat. Powerplay wickets are key, especially that of Alex Carey, and then Colin Ingram, the Strikers’ most in form batsman.
Also, can the Stars put together just as cohesive a batting performance? They seemed to rely significantly on Stoinis against the Renegades, who will of course be key again, but also need more from the likes of Ben Dunk, Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson and Peter Handscomb. The Strikers’ attack are coming off a wicketless night, so the opportunity is there for the Stars to pounce. Will they?
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Key to an Adelaide Strikers win
The Strikers have hit a wall, and desperately need their batsmen to step up. They were rolled for 97 against Sydney Thunder a week-and-a-half ago, and then would have even been more under par against the Hurricanes had it not been for Colin Ingram. Alex Carey, a player who threatened to get going against the Hurricanes, must get going here, along with Jake Weatherald who needs to shift the early momentum the Strikers’ way. A solid start against a good Stars attack is crucial, to pave the way for the in-form Colin Ingram to pounce and shepherd the middle order well.
Also, the Strikers’ bowlers must bounce back. They have little reason not to be motivated, as they come up against a side with a good batting lineup, like the Hurricanes. A good start from the likes of Billy Stanlake, Michael Neser and Rashid Khan will be key, because if they start poorly, confidence can continue to fall. An early wicket, especially the one of Marcus Stoinis, could have the Strikers on their way. With Ben Laughlin a key man at the death, the Strikers have the chance to set things up well with accurate bowling right through the innings.
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Possible Playing 11
Melbourne Stars head into this clash with an unchanged squad. One change they might make to the XI is Lance Morris for Tom O’Connell.
Melbourne Stars Possible Playing 11: 1. Marcus Stoinis, 2. Ben Dunk, 3. Peter Handscomb (wk), 4. Glenn Maxwell (c), 5. Nic Maddinson, 6. Dwayne Bravo, 7. Evan Gulbis, 8. Liam Plunkett, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Jackson Bird, 11. Tom O’Connell/Lance Morris
Wes Agar comes in for Michael Cormack in the Adelaide Strikers squad. He could come in for Liam O’Connor
Adelaide Strikers Possible Playing 11: 1. Alex Carey (wk), 2. Jake Weatherald, 3. Matt Short, 4. Colin Ingram (c), 5. Jono Wells, 6. Cameron Valente/Jake Lehmann, 7. Rashid Khan, 8. Michael Neser, 9. Liam O’Connor/Wes Agar, 10. Ben Laughlin, 11. Billy Stanlake
Pitch & Conditions
Hot conditions and an easy paced pitch is expected for this clash at Ted Summerton Reserve.
Dream11 Prediction
Stats and Facts
- Adelaide Strikers beat Melbourne Stars by 41 runs earlier this season, but the Stars were without their ODI representatives.
- Colin Ingram’s last three innings: 57, 48, 67*
- Marcus Stoinis has scored 182 runs in his past three BBL matches (only dismissed once), along with seven wickets.
Match Prediction
Melbourne Stars look a quality unit with their full side on deck, and I think will be too good for the struggling defending champions.
Stars to win.
Thanks for reading!
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Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers Preview Dream11
