There is one more match in the Big Bash League on Wednesday which comes from the Adelaide Oval as two of the top three sides in the table meet when the Adelaide Strikers host the Melbourne Stars in a big game for the home team.
The Strikers head into this match in third place in the standings and a win here would all but seal their playoff place. Defeat leaves them looking precariously over their shoulders which is not what they want. The Stars know they will finish top whatever happens here.
Adelaide Strikers
After a bit of a humbling at the hands of the Brisbane Heat a week or so ago, the Adelaide Strikers go into this contest off the back of successive wins having seen off the Brisbane Heat emphatically in the rematch and then beat the Hobart Hurricanes and there are signs now that they are hitting their straps at just the right time. They know how to go the course and distance in this competition and look to be peaking when it matters.
If the Strikers are going to go all the way in this competition then it is vital that they continue to bat well. I say that because their bowlers have shown on a number of occasions that they are up to the task here, but we saw in that loss to the Brisbane Heat that when they don’t deliver with the bat, even their attack aren’t guaranteed to rescue things. If they do bat well there is enough reason to suggest they will go very close.
Melbourne Stars
We said before the Melbourne Stars’ previous match against the Sydney Sixers that it was important for them to maintain their focus so that their regular season doesn’t fizzle out. We have seen many a team dominate the regular season of these events and then struggle badly when the business end comes along because they have lost their way going into it. It is probably harsh to say that is what happened with the Stars in the previous game, but the signs were there.
I think the Stars are generally always going to bowl well given how is on show for them so the key will be how they bat. They weren’t a million miles away against the Sydney Sixers but it was their second loss of the tournament and they will be out to make sure a third doesn’t come along too quickly. If they can win here they would reaffirm that they are the team to beat when the playoffs begin next week.
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Team News
The Adelaide Strikers are significantly strengthened by the return of Alex Carey from international duty. He comes into the squad in place of Harry Nielsen who was always going to drop out when Carey returned.
The Melbourne Stars also have a couple of players back from international duty for this contest as well. Peter Handscomb and Adam Zampa return for them and they come in for Jonathan Merlo and Jackson Coleman.
Betting
The Adelaide Strikers have already beaten the Melbourne Stars this season and they look decent value at odds against to follow that up. On that occasion the Stars had Dale Steyn in their ranks and that is significant because there looks to be a hole in their bowling attack with Haris Rauf away on international duty and Nathan Coulter-Nile being rested for the more important matches that are to come.
There are no such issues for the Adelaide Strikers though as they are now at full strength with Alex Carey back. Their bowling attack has shown it can restrict sides who bat first and can defend their own scores and that is always a confidence builder. There was an air of complacency in the performance of the Melbourne Stars, something they won’t be able to get away with here. I think the Strikers have enough to offer as outsiders here.
Tips
WON – Back Adelaide Strikers to beat Melbourne Stars for a 4/10 stake at 2.15 with Betfair
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