2020-21 Big Bash League – Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes taking place? Monday 4th January, 2021 – 05:05 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes taking place? Blundstone Arena, Hobart
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes? Ticket information for BBL10 can be found on this link
What channel is Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes on in the UK? BT Sport
Where can I stream Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes in the UK? BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
MELBOURNE STARS
- Melbourne Stars suffered a third straight loss as they were defeated by Hobart Hurricanes and their struggles with both bat and ball were highlighted in that clash with the Stars seemingly becoming too reliant on some of their key men.
- The Stars struggled to take frequent wickets and left themselves needing 165 to win having managed to remove just five of the Hobart batsmen but in reply, the top order failed once again with Andre Fletcher’s woes continuing having made just 10.
- Glenn Maxwell’s 70 was the only bright spot but when he was removed 37 balls into his innings, the task looked very difficult for the Stars and the skipper’s lack of support proved to be decisive as the Melbourne side lost out by 21 runs.
HOBART HURRICANES
- Hobart Hurricanes made it back-to-back wins as they shocked Melbourne Stars in their most recent contest and with their batting line-up starting to find their groove, they will be confident of adding a second straight win against the Stars.
- The world’s best T20 batsman Dawid Malan produced his highest knock of the tournament with a well-worked 75 as he helped his side to 164/5 but it was Scott Boland’s efforts with the ball that earned him the man of the match award.
- Boland claimed three wickets which included removing key men Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran and with nine wickets in that contest for the Hurricanes, they have now taken 23 in their last three matches.
THE PREDICTION
Hobart Hurricanes showed how dangerous they can be with a good win over Melbourne Stars last time out and they will look to back that up as the two teams do battle once again. The Hurricanes boast a brilliant batting line-up and having produced a solid effort in their last game, they will hope for more here. It is their bowling attack that arguably did the damage in the win on Saturday and with the likes of Andre Fletcher continuing to struggle for the opposition, the Hurricanes know they can take wickets to put the pressure on the middle order. The Stars have the talent to respond here but they cannot keep relying on Glenn Maxwell to be the cornerstone of the innings and if the rest of the batting line-up do not support him, another defeat is on the cards for the stuttering Melbourne side.
