Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars Prediction: Stars have good track against Strikers recently

Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars are going head to head in the 20th Match of Big Bash League at Adelaide Oval, Australia on 31 Dec 2023. Stars have good track record against Strikers in recent games. Who will win this game of cricket?

The Adelaide Strikers have suffered consecutive losses and are looking to bounce back with a victory on their home ground. Their hopes lie in the performance of their top three batsmen. Matthew Short and D'Arcy Short have been in good form, having both scored two half-centuries in three innings. Chris Lynn had a slow start to the season but regained his form in the last match, scoring 56 runs from 34 deliveries. However, the middle-order batsmen, Jake Weatherald, James Bazley, and Adam Hose, have not been performing well, and the team will need at least one of them to step up with a long innings. The seamers, Jamie Overton and David Payne, have been successful in picking up six wickets each. The spin attack, consisting of Cameron Boyce and Matthew Short, have collectively taken four wickets.

Matt Short (C), D'Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Jake Weatherald, Adam Hose, Jamie Overton, James Bazley, Harry Nielsen (WK), Cameron Boyce, Wes Agar, David Payne

The Stars had a difficult start to their season, losing their first three matches. However, they have shown improvement in the past week with consecutive victories, which has elevated them to the fourth position in the standings. In the last match, Glenn Maxwell showcased exceptional skills by taking three wickets and scoring 35 runs in a rain-affected game. He is expected to play a crucial role once again. The underperformance of Sam Harper is a concern for the Stars, as he has been unable to provide a strong start for the team. On the positive side, Hilton Cartwright has been the most reliable batsman for the team and has scored the highest number of runs. Unfortunately, the absence of Haris Rauf and Usama Mir for the rest of the season has weakened the Stars' bowling. Rauf and Mir were the top wicket-takers for the team so far. Dan Lawrence is likely to be their replacement, adding depth to the batting lineup. He is also capable of contributing to the bowling department, alongside Imad Wasim. Joel Paris and Marcus Stoinis are expected to lead the seam attack, while Wasim, Maxwell, and Lawrence will handle the spin duties.

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

It is likely that the team that wins the toss will choose to bowl first. The Adelaide Oval pitch is known to be excellent for batting, with an average first-inning score of around 175. However, the seamers may have an advantage at the beginning of the match when the ball is new, as there is pace and bounce on offer. Nonetheless, the bowlers must be cautious with their line and length. The weather is expected to be clear, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

The Melbourne Stars had a slow start to their campaign, but they have gained momentum in recent matches. Although their performance is not flawless, they have a slight advantage in this contest due to a stronger middle order. It is recommended to bet on the Melbourne Stars to win.