The final match of the Big Bash League regular season takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and forms part of the double header of action on Saturday. It is also a huge clash for the two teams involved – Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers.
It would take a mathematical miracle for the Stars not to make the semi-finals but they need to win to be certain of a home game in the last four. After Melbourne Renegades’ amazing win on Friday the Sixers now know they have to win else their season is over.
Melbourne Stars
It looked like the Stars were going to cruise into the last four of the tournament but that isn’t how it is working out. They had a two run winning streak halted emphatically by the Brisbane Heat earlier in the week when the Melbourne batting failed to fire and that highlighted a major concern going into this game.
One positive is that the bowling of the Stars has continued to perform even in the absence of the likes of James Faulkner who has gone to the ODI side. The lack of batting depth is a big issue but if any of their top four fire then that can be bypassed comfortably enough.
Sydney Sixers
In many ways Melbourne Renegades’ win might have helped the Sydney Sixers. They now have to win this match but at least they know that and can plan and play for that rather than if they just needed a total to qualify and get caught in two minds.
Batting has been an issue for the Sydney Sixers all season but if ever there was a time for them to release the shackles and let themselves go it is now. They have had no issues with the ball and against this Stars batting line up you would fancy them to go well. The obvious question is whether they can put up enough runs to win the game.
Team News
Melbourne Stars were already without James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb for this match as they are away with Australia. Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa have also joined up now too so Liam Bowe and Jackson Coleman come into the squad.
The Sixers have made one change to their squad with Stephen O’Keefe out of it and Will Somerville coming into the 13. There is no place in it for Jordan Silk either.
Betting
This is another match that is tricky to call. Sydney Sixers have to win but that has been reflected in their price which is a little on the skinny side but I’m not exactly fond of the Melbourne Stars either given that they might have a position where a certain total will get them a home semi-final instead of a win.
We’ve already seen one Sydney side make a complete and utter pigs ear of winning a must win match to have a chance of making the playoffs this week and I’m not wholly convinced that the Sixers won’t follow suit.
Either way with the pressure on the match, the fact neither are setting the world alight with the bat and the potential of a low score being enough for the Stars to get their home semi-final I’m far from convinced this will be a high scoring match.
Scores here in the three matches so far have totalled 322 runs, 305 runs and 277 runs so it isn’t a high scoring ground at the best of times. I’m not expecting a high scorer here so I’m with the under on the 325.5 runs line.
Tips
WON – Back Under 325.5 runs for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Bet365
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