Last Updated on 10 months by Charbel Coorey

STA vs SCO Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report: BBL 2021/22 Match 31 | STA vs SCO Dream11 Prediction Today | Stars vs Scorchers Key Players | Junction Oval Pitch Report

On paper, this game had the potential to be one of the matches of the season. However, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc for both Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers in one way or another, which will see some new players on deck today.

The Stars have had a significant COVID-19 outbreak in their camp that started with a support member which saw the postponement of the other clash between these two teams last week. A number of other players have since tested positive, which will give new players the chance to impress today.

While the Stars will aim to ensure that all affected are in good health and spirits, there is the small measure of getting an important win on the board. Brisbane Heat’s victory yesterday put a bit of a buffer between they and the Stars, who need to produce today to keep in touch. However, it is a tough ask with a number of key players out, with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke and Haris Rauf crucial to their hopes.

For the Scorchers, they lost Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis to Australia’s Ashes squad after Travis Head tested positive for COVID-19. The loss of Marsh in particular will be difficult to replace given his outstanding form, but like the Stars, the Scorchers’ squad members have a chance to impress.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Melbourne Stars:

• A lot rests on Glenn Maxwell today. The skipper has to shoulder a lot of the responsibility with so many key players missing. He has a score of 61 vs Scorchers, but just 29 runs in his remaining three innings against them.
• Joe Clarke will also be key. He has struck form and is batting beautifully. He has scored two half-centuries in a row: 52 (40) vs Hurricanes and 85 (44) vs Heat.
• Expect Hilton Cartwright to bat up the order today. He is in terrific form, with the most runs for the Stars so far this season. The right-hander is in fine touch, with 203 runs in six innings at an average of 40.60 and strike rate of 151.49. This includes a magnificent 79 off 44 balls last match vs Heat.
• Brody Couch is Melbourne Stars’ leading wicket-taker in BBL 11 (10 wickets in six matches, avg. 17.40, econ. 8.70).
• Haris Rauf is all set to return to the BBL. He has taken 21 wickets in 13 BBL matches, including 1/23 in his only match vs Scorchers to date.

Perth Scorchers:

• Colin Munro is the Scorchers’ leading run-scorer this season with 268 runs in seven matches at an average of 67.00 and strike rate of 142.55.
• Kurtis Patterson has scored two half-centuries in four innings this season (total of 156 runs, avg. 39.00, SR 156.00).
• Cameron Bancroft has a solid record against the Stars. The right-hander has struck 174 runs in eight innings at an average of 34.80 and strike rate of 109.43.
• Ashton Turner has scored the most runs among any current Scorchers players against Stars (197 runs, avg. 28.14, SR 156.35).
• Andrew Tye has a huge 21 wickets in 10 matches vs Stars (average of 13.81 and economy rate of 7.53). He is wicketless in his last two BBL 11 games, but one can be confident he will be back in the wickets against an inexperienced Stars team.
• Tymal Mills was rested last match vs Thunder. If available today, Mills will be a key threat as he is a genuine wicket-taker (six wickets in four matches in BBL 11).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 18, Scorchers 9, Stars 8, N/R 1.
• Ashton Agar has taken just two wickets in seven matches against the Stars (avg. 78.50, econ. 7.72). But, he is bowling nicely this season, with 10 scalps in seven matches. Also, it is a different-looking Stars team today.
• Jason Behrendhorff also has a poor record vs Stars, with just three wickets in seven innings (avg. 64.33, econ. 7.15).
• Charlie Wakim has played just two T20s so far in his career. He scored 43 and 15 in those matches.

Possible Playing 11

Melbourne Stars’ 13-man squad has many new faces. Joe Clarke, Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell should bat in the top three. They need at least one or two of the three to go big with an inexperienced middle order.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Joe Clarke (wk), 2. Hilton Cartwright, 3. Glenn Maxwell (c), 4. Charles Wakim, 5. Thomas F. Rogers, 6. Lachlan Bangs, 7. Tom O’Connell, 8. Ahmad Daniyal, 9. Haris Rauf, 10. Qais Ahmed, 11. Brody Couch

Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis are unavailable for the Scorchers. Nick Hobson tested positive for the virus and pacer Matt Kelly is in isolation.

Perth Scorchers: 1. Kurtis Patterson, 2. Cameron Bancroft (wk), 3. Colin Munro, 4. Ashton Turner (c), 5. Laurie Evans, 6. Aaron Hardie/Lance Morris, 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Andrew Tye, 9. Peter Hatzoglou, 10. Jason Behrendhorff, 11. Tymal Mills

CitiPower Centre Junction Oval Melbourne Pitch Report and Weather

The Junction Oval surface is typically one of the flattest pitches. It is often a belter for batting, and it should be the case here today in very cricket-friendly conditions (29 degrees and sunny).

The last T20I on this ground was between Australia Women and New Zealand Women in 2020. Australia (155) held on for a tight four-run win on a good pitch.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

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You can pick more star players with Fan2Play thanks to lower credit scores.

• Wicket-keepers: Joe Clarke
• Batsmen: Colin Munro, Hilton Cartwright, Kurtis Patterson
• All-rounders: Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell
• Bowlers: Andrew Tye, Haris Rauf

Match Prediction

Scorchers should have too much experience for the Stars in this one. Scorchers to win.