Big Bash League 2019 Match 41, Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Three days after thrashing Perth Scorchers at their den, Melbourne Stars will now host the former at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The only team to have qualified for the Playoffs so far, the Stars will now aim for a place in the top two and make it to the Qualifier – something that will guarantee them an extra match.

Despite playing at home, the Scorchers were no match for the Stars the other night. They were shot out for 86 inside 14 overs – this, despite Josh Inglis’ 19-ball 37 at the top as Jackson Coleman returned 3-0-16-3 and Sandeep Lamichhane 3-1-7-2. Marcus Stoinis (39* in 31) then helped the Stars reach home in 12 overs as well as became the first batsman to score 500 runs in this edition.

There is little doubt that the Stars, runners-up in 2018-19, have been the best team of the edition: they have lost only 1 of their 10 matches, and are 6 points clear of any other side’s tally so far.

The only problem has been the lack of exposure for batsmen other than the big two: with a whopping 833 between them so far, Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell have left little for others to face: Hilton Cartwright has been the only other batsman to have faced a hundred balls.

The bowling, too, looks sorted. Haris Rauf have been devastating enough to keep Dale Steyn out; Sandeep Lamichhane has ensured Adam Zampa is not being missed; and Nathan Coulter-Nile has been at his usual probing self.

Unless they lose badly from now on, the Scorchers, currently at fourth place, should also qualify. None of their main cricketers – Jhye Richardson, Fawad Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Cameron Bancroft, Liam Livingstone – will be summoned on international duty, a factor that will aid them as the tournament progresses.

However, that should not bother the Stars too much: they will take field as favourites at The G.

Head to head

History is the only thing that backs Scorchers here: they hold an 8-7 lead.

Key players

Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars): You cannot really argue with 316 runs at a strike rate of 170. Stoinis has scored more runs, but he has not been as explosive as his captain. There is his bowling as well.

Mitchell Marsh (Perth Scorchers): Marsh bowls as well, and he has been the Scorchers’ most important cricketer, whether with bat and as captain. This, however, will be as uphill task as any, more so after the rout at Perth.

Likely XIs

Melbourne Stars: Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell (c), Ben Dunk, Nick Larkin, Seb Gotch (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Daniel Worrall, Jackson Coleman, Haris Rauf, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Perth Scorchers: Josh Inglis (wk), Liam Livingstone, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Bancroft, Tim David, Jaron Morgan, Chris Green, Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson, Joel Paris, Fawad Ahmed.

Prediction

Melbourne Stars to win and move towards ensuring the top spot.