AUS T20 League 2024-2025

Match 28: STA vs SIX

Preview

Melbourne Stars will square off against Sydney Sixers for the 28th match of the Australia T20 League 2024-25. The game is scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, January 9. 

The Stars won their previous match against the Renegades in the Melbourne derby on this ground. Ben Duckett’s fifty saved the game for the Marcus Stoinis-led side. They were once prone to a poor finish because of their initial phase disaster of 3/2, but the Stars covered up Renegades’s 168 with 5 wickets to spare.

STA is at the bottom half of the points table with only two wins in seven games. They will be willing to bounce back, depending on their players' performances. They have surely learned some positives and will gain some from their previous game.  The Marcus Stoinis will benefit from the home advantage and will be thirsty to get more points to keep their playoff hope alive. 

On the other hand, the Sixers are at the top of the points table with four victories in six games, and their players are in sublime form so far in this tournament. Their last match against Brisbane Heat was called off due to heavy downpour. SIX will get stronger with the return of Steve Smith after completing the BGT series 2024-25. 

This seems to be a promising encounter that will be an absolute thriller for the fans. Though Sydney Sixers will start as the favourites, we cannot rule out the hosts, as they displayed some signs of good form in their last fixture. 

Match Details

Match: STA vs SIX, 28th Match, Aus T20 League 2024-25

Date: Thursday, January 09, 2025

Time: 01:45 PM

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Pitch Report

The pitch at Melbourne is a batting-friendly surface. In the game’s initial phase, it supports the fast bowlers, offering them good swing and bounce. The spinners might not get much help on this track early on. Batting can play more effortlessly in the latter half of the game. 

The temperature is expected to be around 31°C to 19°C, with 34% humidity and a 19 km/hr wind speed. Although clouds will hover around, downpours will not likely play the killjoy.

STA vs. SIX Squads

STA: Sam Harper (wk), Marcus Stoinis (c), Thomas Fraser Rogers, Ben Duckett, Daniel Lawrence, Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, Peter Siddle, Jonathan Merlo, Doug Warren, Beau Webster

SIX: Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), James Vince, Kurtis Patterson, Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Akeal Hosein, Todd Murphy, Joel Davies, Mitchell Perry, Lachlan Shaw

STA vs. SIX Probable Playing XIs

STA: Ben Duckett, Thomas Fraser Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Daniel Lawrence, Marcus Stoinis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, Peter Siddle

SIX: Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Akeal Hosein, Todd Murphy, Jackson Bird

Match Prediction

Melbourne Stars have been unbeaten in their previous two games, and they will be eyeing a hat trick of wins in this match. The hosts are coming off a huge victory and will again rely on their middle-order batters and star all-rounders to put up a good score. It is expected to be a close counter battle, but the Sydney Sixers will have a slight edge because of their squad strength. Hence, the Moises Henriques-led Sixers will start as the firm favourites in this fixture, being the best team in the league so far. 

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