The first game of Friday’s BBL12 double header sees the Stars taking on the Scorchers in a crucial fixture, with both sides sitting 1-1. Can the Stars cause an upset? Or will the Scorchers get back on track?
Jack Tobin is here to preview the massive Friday afternoon clash, and has you covered with everything you need to kow for Stars vs Scorchers. Make sure to check out our BBL Tips page for previews on every game this season.
BBL12 Stars vs Scorchers Preview & Betting Tips
Junction Oval, Friday 23rd December, 3:30pm (AEDT)
Melbourne Stars
Predicted XI: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Campbell Kellaway, Luke Wood, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa
During the week the Stars confirmed Joe Burns is out for the entirety of the tournament with the hamstring injury he suffered in the opening game of the season. Burns’ absence has created an opportunity for young gun Cambpell Kellaway, who made his BBL debut in the 35 run win over the Hurricanes.
An unbeaten century from Englishman Joe Clarke led the Stars to their first win of the season against the highly fancied Hurricanes last Friday. Luke Wood (3/25) and Adam Zampa (3/27) starred with the ball, as the Stars controlled the match from start to finish. The Stars could’ve easily been 2-0 if it wasn’t for a last ball defeat against the Thunder, and Marcus Stoinis is yet to get going, starting BBL12 with back to back ducks. If Stoinis can hit form, the Stars become an incredibly dangerous side.
It’s clear the Stars have as good of top end talent in their side as any in the competition, and if they can get consistent contributions from their role players, the Stars will be featuring at the business end of the tournament.
Perth Scorchers
Predicted XI: Adam Lyth, Faf du Plessis, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Ashton Turner, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou
After a dominant victory over the Sixers in their first game of the season, the Scorchers collapsed late against the Hurricanes on Monday night. The Scorchers required only 36 from the last 30 deliveries, before losing 4/27 to fall eight runs short. The Scorchers have a completely new top three this season with Adam Lyth, Faf du Plessis and Nick Hobson and it’s clear that there’s going to be an adjustment period for the Scorchers batting unit early in the season.
The Scorchers bowling attack was dominant in their opening game of the season, with Jye Richadson (4/9), Jason Behrendorff (2/22) and Andrew Tye (1/26) leading the way as they skittled the Sixers for 117. Although Richardson (3/26) was excellent on Monday, The Hurricanes got a hold of Behrendorff (1/38) and Tye (2/44). Given how well Richardson and Ashton Agar are bowling, the key to this clash lies in how the Stars face the rest of the Scorchers attack.
The Scorchers have struggled against spin so far this season, Peter Dooley (4/16), Shadab Khan (1/22) and Izharulhaq Naveed (2/22) have gotten on top of the Scorchers so far this season. Coming up against Australia’s premier white ball spinner in Adam Zampa, the Scorchers are going to need to find a way to combat their deficiencies against spin bowling if they’re a chance to win on Friday.
Match Prediction
Both sides have plenty of star power with the bat, and quality bowling attacks in what will be an entertaining clash on what has been a batter friendly surface during domestic cricket this season.
The Scorchers have won seven of their last nine games against the Stars, including their last three straight games. This will be a much closer game than most will be expecting, however the Scorchers just have too much depth with the ball for the Stars batting unit to overcome. If the Scorchers can knock off Joe Clarke early, it will go a long way towards picking up a victory.
Perth Scorchers
$1.74 (1.5 Units)
BBL12 Same Game Multi
Our BBL Data Tools show that Josh Inglis has scored 185 runs at an average of 37 across his last five BBL innings. In his six games against the Stars he’s scored 110 runs at an average of 22, with a strike rate of 152. Inglis will be looking to go big throughout the middle overs, and particular during the surge.
For the second leg we’ve got Adam Zampa to take a wicket. Zampa has returned figures of 3/27 and 2/27. Zampa has taken at least one wicket in eight of his last ten games, and since BBL07 has taken at least one wicket in 71% of his games - the most of any Melbourne Star that's played more than two games.
To finish off the multi, we’re going with the first method of dismissal in the first innings to once again be caught, which has occurred in seven of the ten games so far this season.
Josh Inglish 15+ Runs
Adam Zampa 1+ Wicket
Method of First Dismissal 1st Innings - Caught
