Big Bash League 2019 Match 8, Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Melbourne Stars will host Hobart Hurricanes for Match 8 of the 2019-20 BBL, at Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe. Both teams have won their respective first matches – the Stars against Brisbane Heat, the Hurricanes against Sydney Sixers – and will be eager to make it two in two.

The Stars’ batting effort at Carrara was largely a one-man show. Emerging at 56/3, Glenn Maxwell fell in the last over for a 39-ball 83, lifting the Stars to 167/7. Then, despite Tom Banton’s explosive start, Adam Zampa (4-0-30-3), Haris Rauf (4-0-20-2), and Daniel Worrall (4-0-21-2) restricted the Heat to 145/8.

Hobart then reached a mere 129/9 at Alice Springs, of which D’Arcy Short alone got a 40-ball 51. That turned out to be enough, as Qais Ahmed, the teenage Afghan leg-spinner, returned 4-0-12-4 (1.4-0-5-4 at one point) after pulling off a run out. The Sixers, reduced to 61/8, somehow managed to get 104.

The teams look more or less evenly matched. Neither team had a great outing with bat. That the Stars got more runs than the Hurricanes was largely due to the facts that they played on a slightly easier pitch and the Maxwell onslaught was one of its kind.

The bowling units look comparable. The Hurricanes effort was not about Qais, either. Riley Meredith, who had caused quite a stir with his pace, returned 4-0-10-1, while there was support from both Simon Milenko and James Faulkner.

Having said that, the Stars do hold a home advantage.

Head to head

Key players

Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars): Maxwell returned to competitive cricket following a self-imposed break, and how! The Stars scored only 109 during his stay, of which he slammed 83. The Hurricanes will have their job cut out.

Qais Ahmed (Hobart Hurricanes): Qais and his somersault celebrations were all over the Sixers. The leg-break that bowled Tom Curran will probably be talked about for some time. A contest between him and Maxwell will be worth a watch.

Likely XIs

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

Hobart Hurricanes: D’Arcy Short, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott (c & wk), David Miller, George Bailey, Simon Milenko, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Qais Ahmed, Clive Rose, Riley Meredith.

Prediction

Melbourne to win on their home ground.