Dec 16: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars, Launceston
Pro Tip: While batting first this season, openers have scored 375 runs at a strike rate of 141.69 and an average of 26.21 meanwhile while batting second, the openers have scored 273 runs at a strike rate of 116 and an average of 18.64. Make sure you have a captain or vice-captain pick from team that bats first, preferably an opener.
Our XI: Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Adam Zampa, Liam Hatcher, Josh Inglis, Colin Munro, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye
Substitutes: Nicholas Pooran, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aaron Hardie, Fawad Ahmed
Player availability: Dilbar Hussain will be out for a while. No major ins or outs for Perth Scorchers from their last game. Nic Maddinson will be back for Stars after his Australia A commitments meanwhile Nicholas Pooran who is also done with his West Indies A commitments and could play this game. Nathan Coulter-Nile’s availability is in doubt.
We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss
Captain: Glenn Maxwell
Melbourne Stars captain Maxwell has been in stellar form right from India series. He had a good season last year too, where he scored 398 runs in 16 innings at an average of 39.80 and a strike rate of 148.50. His scores of 26-ball 46 and 29-ball 39 in this season were instrumental in his team’s victories.
Vice-captain: Marcus Stoinis
Stoinis has been a revelation in T20 cricket in the past year. He was the leading run-scorer in BBL 09 with 705 runs in 17 innings at an average of 54.23. He looked like he is going to carry on the form in this season too with a power-packed 37-ball 61 in the last game. The fact that his injury will prevent him from bowling will only help him to be more consistent with the bat.
Hot Picks
Josh Inglis: Inglis had a breakthrough BBL 09, scoring 405 runs with four half-centuries, and his strike rate of 153.99 was the best among the top ten run-getters. He was especially brilliant against spin, striking at 170.73, which will help him against the likes of Maxwell and Zampa in this game. He will also get you points behind the stumps. He can be a vice-captain pick if Scorchers bat first.
Jhye Richardson: There were some concerns over the fitness of 23-year old Richardson after undergoing a shoulder surgery but he bowled well to pick up 2 for 20 in 3.3 overs in his comeback game. He picked up 15 wickets in 14 games at an average of 25 in the last edition of BBL.
Adam Zampa: Just like Maxwell, Zampa too has been in splendid form since the India series. He was the best spinner last season where he picked up 20 wickets in 12 games at an average of 16.20. He was simply unplayable in the last game where his spell of 4-0-10-2 earned him Man-of-the-match award.
Differential Picks
Hilton Cartwright: Cartwright is an excellent all-round pick. He scored a 43-ball unbeaten 46 in the first game, picked up a couple of wickets in second game, and has been one of the best fielders in the tournament taking a couple of catches and making a splendid run-out. He scored 230 runs in eight innings at an average of 38.33 last season.
Ashton Turner: The 27-year smashing middle-order batsman endured a couple of below-par years in T20 cricket. However, he looked in good nick in the last game where he scored a 16-ball 24 before getting run-out. He will be looking to get consistent this season after the Scorchers trusted him with captaincy.
Alternate Scenarios
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If Coulter-Nile is available, he can take Liam Hatcher’s place.
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If Nicholas Pooran is available, he can replace Colin Munro.
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Andrew Tye and Fawad Ahmed can be swapped.
