Match Details:
Date: January 3, 2023
Time: 1:45 PM IST
Venue: MCG, Melbourne
Ball-by-ball commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview:
The Big Bash League 2022-23 season will witness its first Melbourne derby as the high-stake match is scheduled to take place in Melbourne. Melbourne Stars have registered a comprehensive win against Adelaide Strikers in their last fixture and will be looking forward to maintaining their winning momentum.
Marcus Stoinis made a key contribution for the Stars in the previous fixture. Meanwhile, the Renegades are paying the cost for being inconsistent and suffered one more defeat when they faced Perth Scorchers.
Pitch Report:
The surface at Melbourne Cricket Ground will not be an easy one for the batters as bowlers will get a lot of bounce. The batters need to apply themselves well if they want to add key runs on board.
Team Analysis:
Melbourne Stars:
Marcus Stoinis played a fine knock in the last game to post 186/7 for Melbourne Stars. The Aussie batter smashed six maximums and five boundaries as he scored 74 off just 35 deliveries.
However, Stars' bowling was exposed in the game as they won the game by just 8 runs. Luke Wood, Marcus Stoinis, and Beau Webster leaked too many runs in the game as they finished their quota with an economy of 10 plus. Stars will have to fix their bowling concern as they seek to climb the ladder.
SportsTiger playing XI:
Joe Clarke (wk), Thomas Rogers, Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, Campbell Kellaway, Luke Wood, Trent Boult, Liam Hatcher, Adam Zampa (c)
Melbourne Renegades:
Renegades had a dream start to the season as the side won three successive games. But soon after, Nic Maddinson’s side lost the plot and suffered three defeats on the trot. Despite Aaron Finch’s brilliance with the bat in the last game, the Renegades could only post 155/6 in 20 overs.
Renegades’ bowlers failed to defend a low score in the game as Perth Scorchers comfortably chased down the target in 19.4 overs. Players need to bring collective performance in a game to ensure a win for the side, as individual performances are not helping the side. Meanwhile, the side suffered a big blow as skipper Nic Maddinson got ruled out of the remaining matches of BBL after tearing his ACL.
SportsTiger playing XI:
Martin Guptill, Sam Harper, Peter Handscomb (wk), Aaron Finch (C), Jonathan Wells, Mackenzie Harvey, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Match Prediction:
Conclusion:
Both the teams are capable of causing upset but Melbourne Stars are looking in a better position to outsmart Melbourne Renegades. They have players who are batting deep, and even tailenders are contributing with the bat. The Stars are likely to add two points at the end of the match.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author’s point of view. They neither reflect the opinion of SportsTiger nor advise anyone to make any prediction based on this. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility and liability for the same.