Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars: BBL 2024 Preview and Predictions

Cricket

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars: The Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars in the ongoing Big Bash League season have a lot of catching up to do. Both teams are now attempting to climb up from the lower side of the standings. Melbourne Stars are one spot below the Hobart Hurricanes with the same number of points after one more game, but the Hurricanes have played three games and are in sixth position with just two points as of this writing. On December 28, the two teams will square off at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval.

The 17th T20 match between Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars will take place on December 28th, 2023, at Blundstone Arena, Bellerive, Australia.

Match Details to Note:

Match: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars, 17th T20 match

Date: December 28th, 2023 (Thursday)

Time: 01:45 PM IST

Venue: Blundstone Arena, Bellerive, Australia.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars

Hobart Hurricanes (Match Odds- 1.75)

The Hobart Hurricanes won their first game of the season against the Melbourne Renegades, having lost their opening two games. With six wickets remaining and one over to spare, the Hurricanes managed to chase down a total of 184.

Macalister Wright (63 off 36 balls) and Matthew Wade (82 off 50 balls) led the chase excellently. Both hitters are crucial members of Hobart’s top order and should keep up their strong play.

Tim David’s subpar play has taken a toll on the team. So far, the hard-hitting finisher has only scored 25 runs. But he’s a good enough batter to not continually passing up chances, so this might be his thing.

Hobart’s primary bowlers this season, Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis have appeared well-rested, taking three and two wickets apiece so far.

The squad has to take a close look at Chris Jordan’s economy, as he has been operating at above 10.

Full Squad:

Caleb Jewell, Nathan Ellis, Chris Jordan, Macalister Wright, Tim David, Iain Carlisle, Sam Hain, Liam Guthrie, Ben McDermott, Sam Heazlett, Peter Hatzoglou, Mitchell Owen, Patrick Dooley, Nikhil Chaudhury, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Correy Anderson.

Players to watch out for:

Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade (82 off 50 balls) led the last match chase excellently. He is a crucial member of Hobart’s top order and should keep up their strong play.

Riley Meredith

Hobart’s primary bowler this season is Riley Meredith has appeared well-rested, taking three so far.

Possible Playing XI:

Caleb Jewell, Matthew Wade (wk), Macalister Wright, Sam Hain, Corey Anderson, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Chris Jordan, Patrick Dooley, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith

Melbourne Stars (Match Odds- 2.10)

Preview

Melbourne Stars are fresh off their first victory of the season, just like Hobart. Before defeating the Sydney Sixers by four wickets on Boxing Day in a chase of 155, they had lost three straight games.

This season, Hilton Cartwright has been the Stars’ most impressive player, putting up 126 runs in 4 innings with a 42 batting average and 168 strikeouts. His undefeated 47 off 40 balls proved to be crucial in helping the squad safely cross the finish line in the chase against the Sixers.

The team’s most consistent batter, Beau Webster, has scored 98 runs in 3 innings at an average of 32.66 and a strike rate of 119.51. However, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are having trouble scoring runs. The Stars will be tough to stop if these two skilled bats get going.

Beau Webster and Usama Mir have both performed admirably in the bowling department, taking four wickets apiece.

In the previous game, Haris Rauf finally picked up some wickets against the Sixers, going 3-38 in his innings. His form has the power to swing the odds to the Stars’ advantage.

Full Squad:

Scott Boland, Joe Burns, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Dawson (England), Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell, Usama Mir (Pakistan), Joel Paris, Haris Rauf (Pakistan), Tom Rogers, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Imad Wasim (Pakistan), Beau Webster (replaced by Jono Merlo for the first game)

Players to watch out for:

Beau Webster

The team’s most consistent batter, Beau Webster, has scored 98 runs in 3 innings at an average of 32.66 and a strike rate of 119.51.

Haris Rauf

In the previous game, Haris Rauf finally picked up some wickets against the Sixers, going 3-38 in his innings. His form has the power to swing the odds to the Stars’ advantage.

Possible Playing XI:

Sam Harper (wk), Thomas Rogers, Beau Webster, Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Imad Wasim, Jonathan Merlo, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Joel Paris

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Head-to-Head:

After 19 games between the two clubs, the Melbourne Stars won 12 and the Hobart Hurricanes won 7.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Toss Prediction:

The chasing team has won 32 of the 52 domestic T20 matches played at Bellerive Oval. Having said that, the team batting second has won four of the last five games played here. Therefore, we believe that the team that wins the toss will decide to field first.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Pitch Report:

The Bellerive Oval features a true-to-field pitch that is excellent for batting. Although this bounce is decent, unless the ball is brand-new, the hitters won’t be too concerned. The surface will also provide some assistance to the spinners, and their middleovers can prove very important. During the game, Hobart’s weather will be primarily overcast and chilly.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Match Report:

Melbourne Stars have a 12-7 advantage against Hobart Hurricanes in their head-to-head matchup. Despite having less-than-stellar starts to their seasons, both teams are coming into this game fresh off victories. Hobart Hurricanes will benefit from having a home advantage and we believe Hobart Hurricanes has the superior team on paper.

Hobart Hurricanes is the clear to win the Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars match at the odds of 1.75

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Most Recommended Player for Bet:

Matthew Wade (82 off 50 balls) led the last match chase excellently. He is a crucial member of Hobart’s top order and should keep up their strong play. He will be the player to bet for.

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