Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes, BBL T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 16 December 2022

mls vs hbh Match Prediction & Analysis

Melbourne Stars will look to put behind the upset of the last game as they take on the Hobart Hurricanes in the 4th game of the Big Bash League 2022-23. The Stars come into this game with a loss against Sydney Thunder in their opening game. The Hurricanes would look to make a positive start to the season in this game. 

The two sides have shared a close rivalry, winning two games each out of the four in the last two seasons. The Stars would be worried about the form of their batsmen, who didn't make runs in the last game. It's early days in this tournament, and the Stars shall look to make a comeback in their home ground. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Melbourne Stars Preview

Adam Zampa's side made a poor start to the tournament going down by one wicket against the Sydney Thunder in the last game. Though the bowlers defended the total boldly, 122 runs on the board were never enough. Zampa would want his players to put this performance behind them and deliver a better show against the Hurricanes. 

Tom Rogers and Joe Clarke didn't score runs at the top, and the side needs a better show from the openers in this game. Nick Larkin and Joe Burns got their starts in the last game, and they have to do well in the middle order with Marcus Stoinis. The side has depth in the batting and runs from Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, and Luke Wood can put the side in a comfortable position. 

Their bowlers looked in good form in the last game, and the side would expect a good burst with the new ball from Trent Boult and Luke Wood. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Beau Webster, and Zampa would feel confident after their good spells in the last game. They must continue with the same form, as the Hurricanes have a strong batting line-up. 

Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Adam Zampa (c), Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke (wk), Joe Burns, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult

Melbourne Stars Actual Playing XI:

Trent Boult, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Campbell Kellaway, Luke Wood, Nick Larkin, Joe Clarke, Hilton Cartwright, BJ Webster, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Thomas Fraser Rogers

Hobart Hurricanes Preview

The Hurricanes had subdued campaigns in the last four seasons, and Matthew Wade would like a positive start from his side as they take on the Stars in an away game. They have several new players this season, and the Hurricanes' skipper shall like to see them gel together. A win here would help the side gain confidence for the rest of the season. 

Ben McDermott and Caleb Jewell did well at the top in the last edition, and they must put runs opening the batting in this game. The middle order is strong for the team, and they would like runs from Wade, D'Arcy Short, and Tim David. James Neesham and Faheem Ashraf will look to put runs in the lower middle order. 

Riley Meredith was the star bowler for the side last year and would like to get early breakthroughs, sharing the new ball with Joe Paris. Nathan Ellis and Faheem Ashraf bring a lot of experience to this bowling attack, and the team will need good spells from them. Neesham, Short, and Will Parker make it a strong attack.

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted Playing XI:

Matthew Wade (c), Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott (wk), D'Arcy Short, Tim David, Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis, Joel Paris, Will Parker, James Neesham, Faheem Ashraf

Hobart Hurricanes Actual Playing XI:

Timothy David, Paddy Dooley, Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis, Joel Paris, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott, Asif Ali, D'Arcy Short, James Neesham, Shadab Khan

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be odd clouds over Melbourne on December 15. Batting would be challenging in the early overs of the game batsmen would have to play to the merit of the ball. Batting first, any side would be happy to reach a score of 160 runs under these conditions.

Venue Details

Melbourne Cricket Ground has an excellent surface for batting as the ball comes onto the bat nicely, allowing batsmen to score runs quickly. Fast bowlers do well with the new ball and spinners have also enjoyed a good record here as the size of the ground offers them room to experiment.

Toss: To Bowl

We recently saw excellent batting surfaces in Melbourne, and most sides have won games batting second. The side chasing the score always has an advantage in this format, and we expect to see the side winning the toss to bowl first.