Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers, BBL T20 2021, Today Match Prediction 02 January 2022

mls vs prs Match Prediction & Analysis

Covid has hit the Big Bash League 2021-22. The 27th game between the Perth Scorchers and the Melbourne Stars had to be called off due to Covid positive cases among players and support staff in the Stars camp. With Cricket Australia announcing the show to go on Melbourne Stars might have to source for local players to field a side in this game.  

The Perth Scorchers have enjoyed a great run so far in the tournament and they are nearly through to the next round. The side has lost just one game in the tournament and they would look to win another one here. It would be interesting to see how the Stars approach the game with most of their top players unlikely to be available for selection in this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Melbourne Stars Preview

There is bad news in the Stars camp and nearly ten of their players have been tested positive for the virus and have been put in isolation. There is no clarity on the players who would be missing this game. Skipper Glenn Maxwell’s appearance in the game remains uncertain at the moment and this further complicates matters for the side. 

On the batting front, their openers would have to set up a good opening wicket stand as the Scorchers have done well with the ball in most games. It will be interesting to see which of the middle-order players miss this game as this has been their strength so far in the tournament. The new players coming in would face an uphill challenge and they need to deliver their best in this game. 

The Scorchers have destroyed bowling attacks this season and hence the Stars bowlers would have to bowl good lines with the new ball and grab early wickets in this game. They would want Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter-Nile to be available for selection to offer a stiff challenge to the Scorchers.

Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing XI:

N/A

Melbourne Stars Actual Playing XI:

Hilton Cartwright, Charlie Wakim, Xavier Crone, Tom O'Connell, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Justin Avendano, Thomas Rogers, Glenn Maxwell, Haris Rauf, Qais Ahmad

Perth Scorchers Preview

Ashton Turner’s side has been in excellent form and they have lost just one game in the season. Their batting has been brilliant and the bowling attack has played a complementary role in most games. With the Melbourne Stars likely to miss the services of most of their players Turner would look for another win here. 

Their openers haven’t been in the best of form and the side would want to see a strong start from Josh Inglis and Kurtis Patterson. Mitchell Marsh has been in brilliant form and along with Turner and Colin Munro shall look to build partnerships. In Laurie Evans, Andrew Tye, and Ashton Agar they have good hitters of the ball down the order.   

They would need early wickets in this game from Matthew Kelly and Jason Behrendorff. In Andrew Tye, they have one of the best bowlers in this format of the game. Lance Morris, Peter Hatzoglou, and Marsh complete a good attack for the side and they have enjoyed a good run in this season. 

Perth Scorchers Predicted Playing XI:

Ashton Turner (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Kurtis Patterson, Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro, Laurie Evans, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Matthew Kelly, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris

Perth Scorchers Actual Playing XI:

Ashton Turner, Peter Hatzoglou, Colin Munro, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Laurie Evans, Ashton Agar, Tymal Mills, Aaron Hardie, Cameron Bancroft, Kurtis Patterson

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Melbourne is likely to have clear skies on January 2 and we should see a good batting surface. The ball would come onto the bat nicely and allow batsmen to play their strokes freely. The side batting first in this game would be eying a total above 180 runs to feel confident on this track.

Venue Details

The wicket at Junction Oval, Melbourne is good for batting and batsmen can play their strokes freely. The smaller size of the outfield makes it easy to score runs at this venue.  Fast bowlers have also done as there is a lot for them on this surface with the new ball. Spinners struggle due to the short dimensions of the ground. 

Toss: To Bowl

Most teams in the past have opted to bowl first at this venue and have won games. The small size of the ground makes it a good venue to chase scores. The side winning the toss here is likely to go by the past record and opt for bowling first in the game.