Deadline: January 12, 2020 at 1:140 PM IST
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Pitch report
The extra bounce at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has reaped rewards for the wrist-spinners. Against the Renegades, Sandeep Lamichhane and Adam Zampa took 5 wickets between them. To make matters more interesting, the pacers have been able to reverse-swing the ball at the death. Earlier this week, pacer Haris Rauf registered the second hat-trick of the season.
While the bowlers have had their moments, Glenn Maxwell has scores of 40* and 59* at the venue. Expect an even contest between the batsmen and bowlers.
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: Josh Philippe
Batsmen: James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell (c), Tom Curran, Marcus Stoinis (vc)
Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Haris Rauf, Ben Dwarshuis
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Power players
Despite going for a duck in the previous match, Marcus Stoinis is the highest run-scorer of the season. His role is to keep the scoreboard ticking and launch an attack only when needed, making him the safest bet in fantasy games.
Glenn Maxwell has been the best player this season. Most of his runs have come during a chase and at a rate that only he can attain. He also has 4 wickets to his name.
Haris Rauf‘s bowling figures read 2/20, 5/27, 3/24, 3/23, and 1/25. He has taken only 3 fewer wickets than the highest wicket-taker despite playing as many as 4 matches fewer. You can figure out the impact he has had.
Tom Curran has been instrumental with both bat and ball. He has taken 13 wickets and scored 120 runs with a strike rate of 164.
Highest run-scorers
Marcus Stoinis: Runs 331 | SR 120| 50×2
Glenn Maxwell: Runs 311 | SR 170 | 50×3
Josh Philippe: Runs 264 | SR 128 | 50×2
Daniel Hughes: Runs 185 | SR 130
James Vince: Runs 173 | SR 127
Nick Larkin: Runs 104 | SR 133 | 50×1
Highest wicket-takers
Haris Rauf: Wickets 14 | Economy 5.9
Tom Curran: Wickets 13 | Economy 9.2
Lloyd Pope: Wickets 10 | Economy 7
Ben Dwarshuis: Wickets 10 | Economy 6.9
S Lamichhane: Wickets 8 | Economy 7.7
N Coulter-Nile: Wickets 6 | Economy 7.3
Match prediction
This is a clash between the top two teams in the points table. Although the Stars boast of a stronger team on paper, the Sixers have a well-balanced lineup.
Given what has happened at the venue thus far, the Stars will look to bowl first and restrict the opposition under 150. Same has been the case with the Sixers: they have chased down targets as many as 4 times this season. Toss, thus, will be crucial.
Probable XIs
Stars: Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Ben Dunk, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Seb Gotch (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Clint Hinchcliffe, Lance Morris, Haris Rauf, Sandeep Lamichhane
Sixers: Josh Philippe (wk), Justin Avendano, Daniel Hughes (c), James Vince, Jordan Silk/Moises Henriques, Jack Edwards, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood, Lloyd Pope
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.