Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 15 Jan 2021

mls vs ads Match Prediction & Analysis

Even though Melbourne Stars are at the 7th position on the points table, time hasn’t run out for them yet. They have 16 points from 9 games and have a chance to climb up the ladder steadily if they manage a winning streak in their remaining matches. But it won’t be easy. They will be facing off against Adelaide Strikers next who are at the 4th place on the table with 20 points. The Strikers have a great chance to qualify for the final phase and would be looking to earn another comfortable win against the Stars, a team they have just beaten. 
 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Melbourne Stars Preview

Melbourne Stars had an exciting team this season and were expected to do really well. However, they have so far had a disappointing season. They are coming off a 5-wicket loss against Adelaide Strikers, who they will be facing again. Batting first, the Stars could only manage 149-7 on the board and the opposition chased it with an over to spare. 

The problem with Melbourne Stars has been that their entire batting unit has been dependent on two batsmen – skipper Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. While Maxwell has got 255 runs this season, Stoinis is their leading run-getter with 277 runs. Apart from them, though, only Nicholas Pooran (132 runs) and Hilton Cartwright (132 runs) have got more than 100 runs this season. Unfortunately, Pooran has already left for international duties and Melbourne’s batting would hence largely depend on their two leading performers.

On the bowling front, the Stars have been better. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been their best bowler with 12 wickets at an economy of just 7.11. Then there’s Liam Hatcher (10 wickets) who has been expensive and Billy Stanlake (9 wickets) who could have an impact on the game.
 

Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Andre Fletcher, Marcus Stoinis, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Seb Gotch (wk), Adam Zampa, Sam Rainbird, Liam Hatcher, Billy Stanlake

Melbourne Stars Actual Playing XI:

Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Zahir Khan, Nic Maddinson, Sebastian Gotch, N Larkin, ADS Fletcher, Glenn Maxwell, Haris Rauf, Billy Stanlake

Adelaide Strikers Preview

Adelaide Strikers will be delighted with their comfortable 5-wicket win against Melbourne Stars in the last game. It was an all-round performance and earned them their 5th win of the season. Not one batsman got to fifty while chasing a target of 150, but almost the entire batting unit chipped in and helped close the chase. 

The Strikers have had many reliable performers this season with captain Alex Carey leading from the front (279 runs) along with Jake Weatherald (244 runs), Philip Salt (221 runs), Jonathan Wells (204 runs), and Matt Renshaw (175 runs). This stable batting unit is expected to dominate again against a team like the Stars.

However, the Strikers’ bowling unit will definitely be dented with the absence of Rashid Khan. The star leg-spinner, who has left for international duties, was their chief match-winner this season and will be sorely missed. Now the team would depend on the likes of Wes Agar who has been amazingly consistent along with Danny Briggs, and Daniel Worrall. 

Adelaide Strikers Predicted Playing XI:

Matt Renshaw, Philip Salt, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jonathan Wells, Jake Weatherald, Ryan Gibson, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Harry Conway

Adelaide Strikers Actual Playing XI:

Cameron Valente, Philip Salt, Matt Renshaw, Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jake Weatherald, Danny Briggs, Liam O'Connor, Ryan Gibson, Daniel Worrall, JW Wells

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground has always been consistently even. It does help the batsmen early on but the seamers get great purchase on it as well throughout the duration of the game.

The weather forecast at Melbourne for the day of the game is clear and breezy. We should hence get a full game.
 

Venue Details

This is the first match of BBL 10 that will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It will be interesting to see how things go. In the last 10 years, the average first innings score in T20s at the MCG has been around 160-170 runs. The team batting first would hence be targeting a total in that range in this match to feel safe.

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss is likely to bat second as the venue is more suitable for chasing.