Deadline: February 8, 2020 at 1:45 PM IST
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Pitch report
The average first and second innings scores at the SCG read 174 and 171 respectively this season. Although the pitch has significantly favoured the batsmen, there has been enough zip for the spinners. For that matter, the pacers have used off-cutters to a good effect.
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ images to get the data while making your fantasy team.
Wicketkeeper: Peter Handscomb, Josh Philippe
Batsmen: James Vince, Nick Larkin, Steven Smith
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell (vc), Marcus Stoinis (c)
Bowlers: Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Haris Rauf, Ben Dwarshuis
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Power players
Steven Smith averages 49.5 in a mere 3 matches this season. Be it any format, he finds a way to excel and more importantly, take his team to victory.
Marcus Stoinis scored a fifty in the final of the previous season. He was their top-scorer then and is their top-scorer now. Given he couldn’t take his team over the line last year, he will give his all to make amends and gift the Stars their maiden title.
In the last 8 innings, Glenn Maxwell hasn’t crossed 20 runs. However, that doesn’t change the fact that he is a big match player. He has taken his team to the final for the consecutive time, and will leave no stone unturned to punch well above his weight.
Haris Rauf’s strike rate reads the best in the list of top wicket-takers. He has managed as many as 20 wickets in a mere 9 matches.
Highest run-scorers
Marcus Stoinis: Runs 695 | Sr 136 | 100×1 | 50×6
Josh Philippe: Runs 435 | SR 126 | 50×4
Glenn Maxwell: Runs 393 | SR 149 | 50×3
James Vince: Runs 321 | SR 127 | 50×1
Daniel Hughes: Runs 267 | SR 125
Moises Henriques: Runs 260 | SR 149 | 50×1
Nick Larkin: Runs 259 | SR 136 | 50×2
Highest wicket-takers
Haris Rauf: Wickets 20 | Economy 6.6
Adam Zampa: Wickets 18 | Economy 7.1
Ben Dwarshuis: Wickets 16 | Economy 8
Sean Abbott: Wickets 14 | Economy 7.1
Value picks
The Stars finally promoted Nick Larkin to a position that best suits his style of play. Both his fifties this season have come at No. 3. He is armed with a solid technique and knows when to accelerate.
Adam Zampa has taken 8 wickets in the last 3 matches. Given the nature of the pitch, he is likely to trap more batsmen in his spin.
Probable XIs
Sixers: Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Steven Smith, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Stars: Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Peter Handscomb, Seb Gotch (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile. Clint Hinchliffe, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Haris Rauf
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.