Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Stars Predicted XI, Big Bash League (BBL 2020-21)

After the break of nine days, Melbourne Stars will take on Sydney Sixers on Saturday (December 26) in their fourth match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21. This will also be the 15th match of the ongoing season and will be hosted by Carrara.

The last match of the Melbourne Stars ended in no result. They had the good opportunity to win that match after halting Perth Scorchers for 158 runs. However, the rain played the spoilsport. After bowling two overs in the second innings, the play can not be resumed. They would have been at the top of the table had they registered the victory in this match.

Currently, they are at the number second position with winning two matches out of three. They will look to dethrone Hobart Hurricanes which are at the top with 11 points.

Here, let’s take a look at how Melbourne Stars can shape in for the fixture:

Andre Fletcher:

The West Indies player has not been able to set the stage on fire for Melbourne Stars in the last three matches. He has amassed 12, 12 and 6* runs respectively. The 33-year-old, who has represented Windies in 45 T20Is and 25 ODIs, will have to give a good start to the team to release the pressure on Glenn Maxwell’s shoulder.

Marcus Stoinis:

After being out for a duck in the first match, Marcus Stoinis scored 61 and four runs respectively in the last two matches. Australia’s national team’s star allrounder is being only used as a pure batsman. He had sustained a side strain injury during India’s limited-over leg series. After which, he has been not bowling. Maybe in the latter half, he will be used in the bowling option when he regains full fitness.

Hilton Cartwright:

Because of the rain interruption, Hilton Cartwright didn’t get the chance to bat. But in the first two matches, he has overall scored 55 runs.

Apart from batting, he is also a useful bowler. But in the last match, he bowled one over and was beaten for 23 runs. That over would have been a nightmare for him but he will look to redeem against Sydney Sixers.

Glenn Maxwell:

Melbourne Stars captain Glenn Maxwell also didn’t get a chance to bat in Carrara. In the first two matches, he smacked 46 and 3 runs respectively. The power-hitter Maxwell will want to stay longer in the field to take the team’s total above par.

Nicholas Pooran:

Nicholas Pooran was featured in the maiden match of the season in Perth Scorchers. However, he could not bat because the second innings was halted due to heavy rain. Melbourne Stars will expect him to continue his good form of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the 10th season of BBL.

Nic Maddinson:

The part-time spinner was the game-changer for Melbourne Stars against Perth Scorchers. He picked up two wickets in two overs while gave away eight runs. Maddinson had a good day. If he had got the opportunity to bat, he would have taken the team to victory. Maddinson will want to capitalise on the opportunity against Sydney Sixers.

Nathan Coulter-Nile:

In the season opener match of Melbourne Stars against Brisbane Heat, Nathan Coulter-Nile notched a four-wicket haul and guided the side to a comfortable victory. But in the last match against Perth Scorchers, he went wicketless in his three overs.

The right-hand fast bowler will want to replicate his performance of the first match in Carrara to maintain the winning streak of his side.

Clinton Hinchliffe:

Clinton Hinchliffe, who is played the third season of BBL has picked two wickets in the last three matches. The 24-year-old hasn’t been given the full four overs quota to bowl but he has been the wicket-taker. The pacer needs to improve his economy rate to become the Melbourne Stars main bowler.

Liam Hatcher:

Liam Hatcher has got the knack of picking wickets at the crucial junctures. In the last match, he bowled three over and scalped two crucial wickets of Joe Clarke and Mitchell Marsh to seal the deal for them. He is a vital cog for Melbourne Stars and will want to end the league as the highest wicket-taker.

Billy Stanlake:

Billy Stanlake, who has lost his place from the national side, has been impressive so far. Against Perth Scorchers, he notched two wickets in his four overs and registered an acceptable economy rate of 7.00. The right-hand pacer has come out in great form this season and will be looking to prove his case after being sidelined from the Australian team.

Tom O’Connell:

Tom O’Connell, who is playing the second season of BBL, will be playing only his sixth T20 match for Melbourne Stars against Sydney Sixers. Being inexperienced, he went expensive in the last match. He bowled only one over but was hit for two sixes and overall, gave away 15 runs.