Big Bash League 2019 Match 45, Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Sydney Sixers will host Melbourne Stars for Match 45 of the 2019 BBL, at Sydney Cricket Ground. While the Stars are assured of the top spot in the league phase (and will thus feature in the Qualifier), Sydney Sixers – now at second spot – is ahead of all other teams barring the Stars.

However, the Sixers are coming off a disastrous outcome in the Sydney Smash at Sydney Showground Stadium. They were bowled out for 76 in a match reduced to 16 overs following multiple bouts of rain with only two of their batsmen (none in the top five) reaching double figures. The Thunder, 28/2 after 5.3 overs, were 3 runs ahead of the DLS par score.

On the other hand, there is little room for criticism as far as the Stars are concerned. They have won 10 of their 11 matches including one against the Sixers. Marcus Stoinis bulldozed his way to a 79-ball 147 – a BBL record – as the Stars piled up 219/1 before Clint Hinchliffe (4-0-20-3) helped restrict the Sixers to 175/7.

Despite their recent rout, however, the Sixers have done reasonably well in this edition – but it is unlikely that they would beat the Stars.

Head to head

Melbourne Stars hold a 6-4 lead here including a win earlier this season.

Key players

Nathan Lyon (Sydney Sixers): The Test season done and dusted, Lyon has joined the fray to assist the Sixers on a traditionally dry SCG. With Steve O’Keefe for company, Lyon’s spin is one of the handful of advantages the Sixers hold over the Stars.

Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars): The first batsman to top 500 runs this season, Stoinis has been as prolific as anyone else. Another explosive start may tilt the match in favour of the Stars yet again.

Likely XIs

Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe (wk), Daniel Hughes, James Vince, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Justin Avendano, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Steve O’Keefe.

Melbourne Stars: Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nic Maddinson, Nick Larkin, Seb Gotch (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Haris Rauf, Daniel Worrall, Clint Hinchliffe, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Prediction

The Stars to win again and continue their march.