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The match no. 13 of the Big Bash League 2021-22 will have Sydney Sixers taking on Melbourne Stars at their own backyard Melbourne Cricket Ground. The two teams, who met in the season opener at Sydney, will battle it out in this return fixture on Wednesday.
The two-time defending champions Sydney Sixers have got this season off to a good start, claiming 7 points from three matches with a net run-rate of +2.10. Moises Henriques‘ men obliterated the Stars in the first game by 152 runs before registering a 14-run victory over Hobart Hurricanes.
In the third game, however, they were defeated by 44 runs on DLS method. Bowling first, they conceded 213/2 in 20 overs, with Matthew Wade blasting 93 off 46. The match was reduced to 18 overs after a rain interruption. Josh Philippe scored a valiant 72 off 46, but the Sixers could only reach 151/4.
After receiving the thrashing in the first game, the Stars bounced back well to edge past Sydney Thunder by four runs in a last-over thriller. In the third match – a return fixture against the Thunder – Glenn Maxwell’s men claimed a comfortable victory by six wickets.
Alex Ross scored 49-ball 77 to take Sydney Thunder to 151/5 in 20 overs. In response, Maxwell scored 25-ball 40 while Andre Russell smashed 42* off 21 to take the Stars home with 17 balls to spare. Melbourne Stars’ net run-rate, however, is still down to -2.085 and they’d like to improve it with more dominant victories.
Key players
Andre Russell is a brutal power striker with the bat and can bowl express pace. He has 6489 runs to his credit from 389 games at an average of 26 while striking at an exceptional 170. The Jamaican all-rounder has registered two hundreds and 25 fifties in the format with countless other quickfire cameos. Dre Russ also has taken 343 wickets at 8.43 rpo, mainly bowling in death overs. He has been in good form and smashed unbeaten 42 off 21 against the Thunder.
Josh Philippe has been magnificent for Sydney Sixers, having scored 1466 runs in the BBL at a terrific average and strike rate of 34 and 144, respectively. The 24-year-old has smashed 12 fifties in the league from 51 innings.
The opening batter has been superb in the ongoing season, blasting 83 off 47 against the Stars and 72 off 46 against the Hurricanes.
One of the most destructive batters in the T20 format, Glenn Maxwell has a terrific record to boast of. His ability to score quickly in the middle overs phase sets him apart.
He has amassed 7311 runs in T20 cricket from 331 matches at an average of 27.5 while striking at 151. Maxwell has blasted three hundreds and 44 fifties in the format.
He can also bowl handy off-spin and concedes at 7.72 with 117 wickets to his name. Maxwell was brilliant in the last game with his 40-run knock and remains a key player for Melbourne Stars.
Moises Henriques has been an integral part of the Sixers over the years. The 34yr old has scored 2077 runs in the Big Bash League from 86 innings at an average of 30 while scoring at 133, including 12 fifties.
Henriques has been sublime in this season so far, scoring 175 runs at a strike rate of 158 in three innings and has only been dismissed once. In the previous fixture against the Stars, Henriques hammered 76* off just 38 balls. He will be an important figure for the Sixers in this match as well.
Prediction
The overall record between the two teams is in favour of Sydney Sixers, having won 10 out 17 matches. The Sixers have dominated even more in recent times, winning all of the last six encounters.
Melbourne Stars are in a much better shape after Marcus Stoinis, Andre Russell and Nathan Coulter-Nile came into the side. The bowling attack still has some concerns barring Adam Zampa and Coulter-Nile, with Russell being expensive. The batting has a lot more firepower with Stoinis, Maxwell and Russell, with contributions from Larkin and Cartwright.
The Sixers have a solid batting unit that is flexible and compliments well, with James Vince, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques and Daniel Hughes. The bowling attack is the weak link, with no express pace or quality wrist-spinner. The Sixers will head into the match as favourites considering their recent record but don’t count Melbourne Stars out, especially with in-form Andre Russell in the side.
