Deadline: January 22, 2020 at 1:40 PM IST
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Pitch report
The first game of the season at the Adelaide Oval garnered as many as 381 runs in 36 overs. After the run rest, however, we witnessed 5 scores below 140 runs. The pitch has been mysterious, so much so that one team smashes the bowlers to pulp and the other loses wickets in heaps and skittles out for a paltry score. However, the spinners have consistently had fun here.
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: Alex Carey
Batsmen: Philip Salt, Hilton Cartwright, Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Jonathan Wells
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c)
Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane/Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle, Rashid Khan (vc)
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Power players
Alex Carey is back to the Strikers after a well-fought series in India. Before he took off, he had collected the most runs for the team and, despite missing 4 games, he is Strikers’ third-highest run-scorer.
When Carey was available, Travis Head wasn’t. When Head was available, Carey wasn’t. With the race for the playoffs tightening up, the Strikers have both at their disposal and both in top-notch form. Travis Head‘s 79 off 40 is evidence to the fact that he is no less than the other power-hitters in the format.
Pitted against them will be Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell. While Stoinis is the highest run-scorer of the season, Maxwell is always the player to watch out for.
There are three spinners to choose from: Rashid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Adam Zampa. Rashid’s 10 of 16 wickets have come at the venue, but he also has gone wicketless here. On the other hand, Zampa has come back from a successful tour: he dismissed Virat Kohli twice in three matches.
Highest run-scorers
Marcus Stoinis: Runs 585 | SR 136 | 100×1 | 50×4
Glenn Maxwell: Runs 353 | SR 160 | 50×3
Jonathan Wells: Runs 351 | SR 131 | 50×3
Jake Weatherald: Runs 337 | SR 143 | 50×2
Alex Carey: Runs 266 | SR 122 | 50×1
Highest wicket-takers
Rashid Khan: Wickets 16 | Economy 7.1
Sandeep Lamichhane: Wickets 14 | Economy 7.7
Peter Siddle: Wickets 12 | Economy 6.8
Wes Agar: Wickets 11 | Economy 8.3
Adam Zampa: Wickets 10 | Economy 6.5
Match prediction
One of the only two defeats that the table-toppers Stars suffered came at the hands of the Strikers. Peter Siddle‘s three-wicket haul helped them defend a competitive total of 175 runs on a flat track at Queensland.
Both teams go neck and neck in terms of team composition. However, the team batting first has an advantage at Adelaide Oval. Toss, thus, will be crucial.
Probable XIs
Strikers: Jake Weatherald, Philip Salt, Travis Head, Alex Carey (wk), Jonathan Wells, Matthew Short, Rashid Khan, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Liam O’Connor
Stars: Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Nick Larkin, Clint Hinchliffe, Lance Morris, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa, Sandeep Lamichhane
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.