The Melbourne Stars come into Friday’s fixture as the form team of the competition after two impressive wins to start the season against the Heat and Hurricanes. The Stars have got big contributions from their star batsmen with Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis putting in big contributions. The Adelaide Strikers scored a vital win in their last outing against the Scorchers in a high scoring thriller where they showed how dangerous their batting line up can be, with Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey leading the way. The Stars hold a slight advantage with a 5-4 head to head record over the Strikers.
It’s great news at the selection table for the Stars who will come into the game with a full strength side for the first time this season as Dale Steyn and Nathan Coulter-Nile look set to make their debuts for the Stars. Pakistani sensation Haris Rauf and youngster Jonathon Merlo miss out in the 13 man squad. The Strikers have made one change to their squad from their last match, bringing in Peter Siddle who was released from the test squad after he wasn’t picked in the playing eleven, replacing Liam O’Connor in the 13 man squad.
Melbourne Stars squad (13): Glenn Maxwell (c), Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Dunk, Pete Handscomb, Clint Hinchliffe, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Dale Steyn, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa
Adelaide Strikers squad (13): Alex Carey (c), Wes Agar, Harry Conway, Rashid Khan, Harry Nielsen, Phil Salt, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Cameron White
Stars vs Strikers Betting Tips
Stars
The Melbourne Stars have lived up to the pre-season hype with two quality wins against the Heat, who were the title favourites coming into the season and the Hobart Hurricanes who finished top of the table last season. Both these wins have come without Dale Steyn and Nathan Coulter-Nile who will add quality pace for the Stars which they have lacked in previous years, Coulter-Nile can provide some firepower with the bat down the order as well. The Stars have got great contributions across the board from nearly their entire side through their opening two games.
The Stars have only played two games at Metricon Stadium and Glenn Maxwell has been the Stars top run scorer both times. In BBL08 Maxwell scored 41 not out against the Sydney Thunder and an exhilarating 83 from 39 balls in the Stars opening game of the season against the Heat. Maxwell’s break from cricket seems to have done plenty of good for him after a packed schedule over the last two years. Maxwell’s flexibility in his batting position means he’s going to get plenty of opportunity to score big. With knocks of 82, 43 and 89 in his last five Big Bash innings, Maxwell is a great choice to be the Stars leading run scorer.
Maxwell top MEL batsman
$3.75
Strikers
The Strikers scored a crucial win over the Scorchers on Monday in a high scoring affair with Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey leading the way with the bat. Rashid Khan was more expensive than usual with figures of 3/40, but he took three crucial wickets that swung the game the Strikers way. The Strikers will need capitalise early this season before Alex Carey goes away for international duties in January. The Strikers have been very good with the bat in their first two encounters but will need a lift from their bowlers after an expensive after conceding over ten runs an over against the Scorchers.
Alex Carey has been electric with bat to start the season with 45 in the Strikers opening game against the Thunder and a dynamic 55 off just 27 deliveries against the Scorchers on Monday. Carey is continuing on what has been a stellar year in white ball cricket where he scored 375 runs at an average of 62.50 at the World Cup this year. He heads off for international duties in mid-January and will be looking to make a big impact for the Strikers whilst he is still available. An in-form Carey is an excellent choice to be the Strikers leading run scorer.
Carey top ADL batsman
$3.75
Prediction
Another early season game between two sides with major finals aspirations as two unbeaten sides face off. The Stars have launched into title favouritism and deservingly so with the performances they have put up and with Dale Steyn and Nathan Coulter-Nile coming into the side, they are only getting stronger. The Strikers will be a tough match up and provide some good value at $2.20, however given the form the Stars are in, as well as the Strikers lack of experience at Metricon Stadium, the Stars will be too strong and will move to 3-0 on the season.
Melbourne Stars H2H
$1.68
