BBL 2019-20 Match 13, Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

BBL 2019-20 Match 13, Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Melbourne Stars BBL

Melbourne Stars will host Adelaide Strikers for Match 13 of BBL 2019-20, at Carrara Oval. Both sides are unbeaten in the tournament so far – something only Sydney Thunder has achieved till this point.

The Stars began their tournament with a comfortable 22-run win against Brisbane Heat at Carrara. Glenn Maxwell led with an explosive 39-ball 83 before Adam Zampa (4-0-30-3), Haris Rauf (4-0-20-2), and Daniel Worrall (4-0-21-2) did the rest.

Then, at Moe, the Stars put up 163/4, this time thanks to Marcus Stoinis’ 54-ball 81 not out. Rauf (4-0-27-5) then ran through Hobart Hurricanes, bowling them out for 111. With two emphatic wins in two many matches, the Stars look comfortably placed.

The Strikers, on the other hand, began their tournament in unusual fashion. Their first match, against the Thunder at Canberra, had to be called off midway due to bushfire smoke, though not before Jonathan Wells slammed a 32-ball unbeaten 55.

Then, at Adelaide, Jake Weatherald (83 in 47) and Alex Carey (55 in 24) took the Strikers to 198/4 in 18 overs. The Perth Scorchers openers went on a rampage, adding 124 in 52 balls (!) before Rashid Khan (4-0-40-3), Harry Conway (4-0-32-2), and Wes Agar (4-0-36-2) restricted them to 183/7.

The contest seems evenly matched at this stage. The Stars, the home side, probably hold a slight advantage.

Head to head

The teams are evenly matched, with the Stars holding a slender (5-4) lead.

Key players

Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars): Rauf is yet to play international cricket, but he has undone batsmen with his pace and steep bounce in both matches. His tournament figures – 8-0-47-5 – tell the story. The Strikers are in for a steep challenge.

Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers): Carey has slipped comfortably into the triple role of captain, wicketkeeper, and premium hitter at the death quite comfortably. However, the Stars will be another story altogether.

Likely XIs

Melbourne Stars: Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Ben Dunk, Glenn Maxwell (c), Peter Handscomb (wk), Hilton Cartwright, Clint Hinchliffe, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Haris Rauf, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Adelaide Strikers: Jake Weatherald, Phil Salt, Matthew Short, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jonathan Wells, Cameron White, Cameron Valente, Rashid Khan, Wes Agar, Harry Conway, Billy Stanlake.

Prediction

Melbourne Stars to win.