Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers *, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 26 Jan 2021

mls vs sys Match Prediction & Analysis

Melbourne Stars have made their playoff hopes in jeopardy after suffering two back-to-back losses. They are currently 5th on the table with 24 points and a net run rate of +0.171. The problem now for them is that all of Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes, and Brisbane Heat have a chance to finish ahead of them before they clash against 2nd placed Sydney Sixers in the final league match of the season on the 26th of January. Moreover, it will not be easy to take down the Sixers, who have easily been one of the top sides of the season and have already beaten the Stars once in this edition. However, they have suffered two losses in a row and might be low on confidence. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Melbourne Stars Preview

Till last week, Melbourne Stars’ qualification chance for the playoff stage looked quite good. However, two losses in a row – a 5-wicket one against Melbourne Renegades and an 11-run one against Perth Scorchers – has made things difficult for them. In their last game against the Scorchers, the Stars were chasing a target of 183 runs but could only finish on 171-6.

For the Stars, their main batsmen throughout the season have been Marcus Stoinis (384 runs) and captain Glenn Maxwell (313 runs). However, Maxwell hasn’t been in the best of forms recently and his best score in the last 7 games has been 37. Thankfully, though, Nick Larkin has found his form and is fresh of a 70 off 44 balls against Nick Larkin. But Maxwell has to fire if the Stars have to win this game.

On the bowling front, the Stars have been largely dependent on leg-spinner Adam Zampa (19 wickets) but he went for 48 runs in his 4 overs in the last game. Billy Stanlake and Zahir Khan are the other two dependable bowlers for Melbourne but the unit needs to be at its best against a side like the Sydney Sixers.

Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Marcus Stoinis, Seb Gotch (wk), Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Clint Hinchliffe, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Zahir Khan

Melbourne Stars Actual Playing XI:

Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Zahir Khan, Nic Maddinson, Sebastian Gotch, N Larkin, Sam Rainbird, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake

Sydney Sixers * Preview

Sydney Sixers, who looked unbeatable until last week, have just endured two back-to-back losses – by 46 runs against Sydney Thunder and by 7 runs against Hobart Hurricanes. In their last match, while chasing a target of 189 runs, the Sixers managed 181-8. In both these losses, Sydney’s batting hasn’t been the issue as the unit has scored healthily. However, their bowling has led them down which is a worry.

Sydney’s batting is in good health and even in the last match, the likes of Jordan Silk (78 off 49 balls) and Moises Henriques (43 off 25 balls) left an impact. The return of skipper Henriques, in fact, after a long lay-off due to injury, will be a big boost to the team. The other batsman to watch out for will be Josh Philippe, who is now the second-highest run-getter of the season with 453 runs and would be looking to surpass the 500-mark.

As for the bowling, Sydney needs to be a little careful as they have been expensive in recent times. The likes of Ben Dwarshuis and Jake Ball went for plenty in the last match. While the Sixers are already guaranteed a finals berth, they would still like to try out their best bowling lineup in the final league game to keep them in rhythm. 
 

Sydney Sixers * Predicted Playing XI:

Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Daniel Hughes (c), Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve OKeefe, Jackson Bird, Lloyd Pope

Sydney Sixers * Actual Playing XI:

James Vince, Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Steve O'Keefe, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Jackson Bird, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Sean Abbott, DT Christian

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has proven to be quite good this season in the BBL. While it has largely favored the batsmen, it does assist seamers and slower bowlers, too. Scoring isn’t as easy in the second half when the pitch slows down a bit and the bowlers get some help. However, batsmen will generally have a good experience here.

A few showers are expected in Melbourne on the day of the game. This could affect the match and we could have a rain-curtailed encounter. 
 

Venue Details

While the Melbourne Cricket Ground hasn’t exactly been a high-scoring venue this season of the BBL, it has produced some healthy totals. The teams batting first, especially, do get the opportunity to score big and take the game away from the opposition. A total of around 170-180 by the side batting first should be a match-winning one. 

Toss: To Bat

The team winning the toss will be looking to bat first as setting a target here would be the better option.