Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars Preview + Dream11

Two sides who were poor in their last game.

Sydney Sixers, courtesy of Tom Curran and Sean Abbott, were saved from absolute embarrassment in the Sydney Smash against Sydney Thunder. The Sixers struggled to handle Jos Buttler, followed by the Thunder spinners, of which the Stars possess with quality. After a fine first up win against Perth Scorchers, the Sixers will be looking to get back to winning ways after Christmas.

Melbourne Stars, last season’s bottom-placed team, have done nothing yet to suggest they will indeed have an improved season. Their batting is supposed to be their strong suit, but they were at least 20 short in good batting conditions in Hobart on Christmas Eve, and desperately need to kickstart their campaign. Will their big guns fire against the Sixers?

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Key to a Sydney Sixers win

Early wickets has been a problem for the Sixers in BBL08. Being reduced to 30/3 (vs Scorchers) and 56/6 (vs Thunder) won’t win you too many games, but the Sixers sit with one win arguably due to Jordan Silk and Daniel Hughes’ record partnership in their tournament opener. Apart from two separate partnerships in two games, including Abbott and Curran against the Thunder, the Sixers have been poor with the bat, and need a lift from the top order if they are to win this one.

Also, can the bowlers inflict more misery on the Stars? Tom Curran burst into form with the ball with 3/27 vs the Thunder, and he, along with the likes of Steven O’Keefe (five wickets in BBL08), Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis will be key in restricting the Stars good lineup on paper. The wickets of Glenn Maxwell, Nick Larkin and Dwayne Bravo could be particularly important tonight.

Key to a Melbourne Stars win

Will Melbourne Stars become the next perennial underachiever in BBL cricket?

Without a title despite making the top four seven times, the Stars now face a fight for form. Their performance in Hobart exemplified a side in doubt, struggling on their way to just 155 on a good batting pitch and small outfield. With their pace bowling failing to make an impact so far, so much onus is on their batting to deliver at the SCG. Ben Dunk must deliver, Peter Handscomb returns, Nick Larkin’s good form is something the Stars want to see continue, and Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Dwayne Bravo can fire in the middle order to give the Stars a chance. This is certainly not a bad side on paper, but the time to deliver is now.

However, are the bowlers capable of restricting the Sixers early like the Scorchers and Thunder were able to? Scott Boland showed some good signs against Hobart, but Jackson Coleman continues to be all over the place. The Stars could bring in Jackson Bird for some control, which can pave the way for Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane to continue their good form. On an SCG pitch that might suit spin, those two will be crucial to the Stars’ chances, especially given how poorly the Sixers played Fawad Ahmed three nights ago. Will they be able to cause a regular fall of wickets?

Possible Playing XIs

Sixers Academy spinner Ben Manenti is in the Sixers’ squad for this clash, replacing Lloyd Pope.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Jack Edwards, 2. Joe Denly, 3. Moises Henriques (c), 4. Daniel Hughes, 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Josh Phillipe (wk), 7. Tom Curran, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Steve O’Keefe, 10. Ben Dwarshuis, 11. Ben Manenti

Peter Handscomb returns to the Melbourne Stars squad after being dropped from the Test side. He replaces Travis Dean.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Ben Dunk (wk), 2. Nick Larkin, 3. Peter Handscomb, 4. Glenn Maxwell (c), 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Dwayne Bravo, 7. Evan Gulbis, 8. Adam Zampa, 9. Sandeep Lamichhane, 10. Scott Boland, 11. Jackson Coleman/Jackson Bird

Dream11

Two good sides on paper go head-to-head. Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.

• Ben Dunk inspires little confidence. His record at Hobart is excellent, but even then he couldn’t step up. With Zampa and Lamichhane to play a key role, expect Josh Phillipe to still get a good batting opportunity at six.
• Nick Larkin has been in fine touch, and will likely open the batting with Travis Dean left out.
• Glenn Maxwell (C) hit 84 off 47 balls at this ground last year.
• Joe Denly scored 72 last time he played the Stars. Moises Henriques, an experienced player, is due.
• Tom Curran (VC) and Sean Abbott are wicket takers and possible run scorers, too. Steve O’Keefe, Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane are key bowlers on the SCG pitch on what will be a warm night.

Stats and Facts

• Sydney Sixers have won their last three games against Melbourne Stars.
• Sandeep Lamichhane has taken five of Melbourne Stars’ nine wickets.
• Tom Curran took 3/27 and scored 62 against Sydney Thunder.

Prediction

Melbourne Stars have lost 13 of their past 15 BBL matches, but something tells me tonight will be their night.

Led by Glenn Maxwell, Nick Larkin and Sandeep Lamichhane, the Stars will win in an upset.

Thanks for reading!

PS I recently partnered with the great team at onlinecricstore.com!

Hope you enjoy my Cricket Tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!

Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars Preview + Dream11