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Melbourne Stars take on Hobart Hurricanes in the final group match of the 2021-22 Big Bash season.
The game is scheduled for 7:50pm local time (8:50am GMT) on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
The game will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Hobart Hurricanes secured a play-off spot with victory over the Melbourne Renegades and could rise to fourth (or even third!) with a victory against the Stars in the final group match.
Matthew Wade (48 off 39 against Renegades), Tim David (46 not out off 20) and D'Arcy Short (37 off 22) are all coming into form at the right time for the Hurricanes while Tom Rogers continues to impress. He picked up two wickets in the penultimate over against the Renegades, including Aaron Finch, and now has a team-leading 18 dimissals in 12 matches. A nerveless death bowler.
Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane also bowled well on his way to figures of 2 for 27 and has 14 wickets and a team-leading economy of 7.37.
Their victory ended Melbourne Stars' playoff push. Glenn Maxwell's side, who were hampered by Covid over New Year, defeated Brisbane Heat in their most recent outing to keep the pressure on the Hurricanes but head into their final match with an unassailable five-point deficit.
The form of opening batsmen Maxwell and Joe Clarke is a sign of encouragement for the Stars, not to mention the return of very dangerous Marcus Stoinis who scored a brutal 29 off 10 balls against Brisbane Heat.
With the ball the Stars are always going to be dangerous. The spin of Adam Zampa has been a big threat throughout the tournament picking up 10 wickets at an average of 29.
However, Haris Rauf will be a big loss for the Star afters returning home to fulfil international commitments. The Pakistani quick caused big problems to top order batsmen, picking up nine wickets in the tournament.
Tom Rogers [Mike Owen/Getty Images]
With Clarke and Maxwell dominating the Brisbane Heat bowlers last time out, the Stars will be hoping for a repeat performance to finish their campaign with a bang.
The blistering pace from Riley Meredith, however, will be key to removing Maxwell and Clarke early before a big partnership potentially forms.
And early in-roads could expose Melbourne Stars' vulnerable middle order. Lamichhane could spin the game on its head.
Umpires will appear here when available.
Sunny conditions are expected in Melbourne with hovering around 22 degrees Celsius.
Melbourne Stars: Qais Ahmad, Joe Burns, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sam Elliott, Syed Faridoun, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchcliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Tom O’Connell, Sam Rainbird, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa, Haris Rauf (from December 27), Andre Russell (five games from December 10), Ahmed Daniyal (from December 10)
Hobart Hurricanes: Scott Boland, Harry Brook (Jordan Cox), Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Josh Kann, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, Tom Rogers, D’Arcy Short, Jordan Thompson (Tom Lammonby), Matthew Wade, Mac Wright
Marcus Stoinis (left) returned with a bang against Brisbane Heat [Morgan Hancock/Getty Images]
Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Burns, Beau Webster, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Brody Couch, Adam Zampa, Sam Rainbird, Ahmed Daniyal
Hobart Hurricanes: Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Matthew Wade, D'Arcy Short, Tim David, Peter Handscomb, Jordan Thompson, Mitch Owen, Tom Rogers, Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane
Melbourne Stars are the favourites for this match with odds of 8/11. Hobart Hurricanes are available at 11/10.
Hobart could still move up to fourth in the table and will want to go into the playoffs with winning momentum.
However, Maxwell's side have nothing to lose and will have something to prove after missing out on a playoff spot. Melbourne Stars win.
Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games in the UK.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament for UK listeners.
Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?
North America: Willow
MENA: beIN Sports
Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Indian Subcontinent: Sony
New Zealand: Sky Sport
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