Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers Preview Dream11 Prediction
Last season’s last placed team vs. This season’s last placed team?
Both sides are missing key players to Australian ODI duty, which perhaps evens out the playing field given the huge contrast in the performances of these two teams in recent matches.
It is incredible to think that tournament favourites Perth Scorchers are bottom of the table with just one win. Melbourne Stars have found their their feet after a poor start to the season, and now have the chance to pick up four straight wins and sit just behind Hobart Hurricanes on the table.
Marcus Stoinis has been superb, but is now on Australian duty. The Stars’ bowling attack has got the better of its opponents in the last three matches, and come up against a side struggling with the bat. For the Scorchers, their batting indeed remains a mess, and must overcome the Stars’ challenge with time soon to run out for them if they don’t improve in BBL08.
Key to a Melbourne Stars win
As mentioned, Marcus Stoinis’ all-round performances have taken the Stars to another level. He has seemingly lifted the intensity of those around him, but how the Stars go without him will be crucial. The Stars get a big boost with Nic Maddinson back from injury, and with Nick Larkin also in good touch, can Ben Dunk show the form he’s capable of to help set an excellent platform for the Stars?
Also, the Stars’ bowling attack did perhaps look a little thin at the start of the season, but they are bowling well as a unit, which will be crucial in this clash with the departure of Sandeep Lamichhane, as well as Stoinis and Maxwell on ODI duties. Scott Boland has another opportunity for wickets, this time against a struggling batting lineup, and so too Dwayne Bravo, who has been in the wickets in recent matches.
Key to a Perth Scorchers win
Perth Scorchers on paper looked a strong squad, but their batting has been anything but, and they will be without their Australian ODI players. Their batting effort against the Brisbane Heat summarised their struggles in BBL08, unable to put together a complete batting display. It seems when they start well, they can’t finish well, and when they start poorly, they can finish well. Can Michael Klinger and Cameron Bancroft make today their day? Can Ashton Turner keep his good form going? What about the Scorchers’ middle order against an in-form attack?
Also, the Scorchers need to win the powerplay period, with both bat and ball. Jason Behrendhorff is off with Australia, so Nathan Coulter-Nile will be tasked with breaking through the dangerous Stars top order, with Ashton Agar and Andrew Tye to keep the pressure on. In a must win game, the bowlers have to deliver to give them a chance.
ALSO READ: Congratulations India! Light hearted Australia vs India 4th Test Player Ratings.
Predicted Playing XIs
Three changes in the Melbourne Stars squad. Nic Maddison returns from his broken arm, which he suffered in Sheffield Shield Cricket last month. Tom O’Connell and Jonathan Merlo are in the squad, with Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa preparing to face India in the first ODI on Saturday.
Melbourne Stars possible XI: 1. Ben Dunk, 2. Nick Larkin, 3. Nic Maddinson (c), 4. Seb Gotch (wk), 5. Dwayne Bravo, 6. Jonathan Merlo, 7. Evan Gulbis, 8. Liam Plunkett, 9. Scott Boland, 10. Liam Bowe, 11. Michael Beer
Perth Scorchers have also made three changes to their 13-man squad. Jason Behrendhorff, Mitchell Marsh and Jhye Richardson are now on Australian ODI duty, with Usman Qadir, Sam Whiteman and rookie Aaron Hardie in the squad.
Perth Scorchers possible XI: 1. Michael Klinger, 2. Cameron Bancroft (wk), 3. Ashton Turner (c), 4. Hilton Cartwright, 5. Will Bosisto/Sam Whiteman, 6. Ashton Agar, 7. David Willey, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Usman Qadir, 11. Aaron Hardie
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Dream11 Prediction
A number of players on Australian ODI duty. Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.
- Cameron Bancroft will get a greater batting opportunity than Seb Gotch. He has made two starts in his last two innings, and is not far off a good score.
- Same applies to Michael Klinger. He is slowly coming back into some form after two starts in a row.
- Ashton Turner has hit 107 runs in his last two innings, including 60* vs Sydney Thunder.
- Nic Maddinson has an excellent BBL record, and Nick Larkin is in good touch.
- Liam Plunkett made a good start to BBL08 with a solid bowling effort vs Sydney Thunder. Scott Boland has four wickets in his last two matches.
- Andrew Tye has taken six wickets in his last two matches vs Melbourne Stars.
ALSO READ: Congratulations India! Light hearted Australia vs India 4th Test Player Ratings.
Stats and Facts
- Melbourne Stars have won the last three meetings with Perth Scorchers in Melbourne.
- Ashton Turner is the only Perth Scorchers batsman to average over 30 in BBL08.
- Number of sixes in BBL08: Melbourne Stars 21, Perth Scorchers 9.
Prediction
Nick Larkin is the only player in the Melbourne Stars lineup with 61 or more runs in BBL08.
Even though the Perth Scorchers have not inspired any confidence with their batting, I predict they will win as the absence of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell might be too much for the Stars to deal with.
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!
Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers Preview Dream11 Prediction
