Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash
Adelaide Strikers take on Melbourne Stars in match 23 of the Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 6.30pm local time (8am GMT) on Saturday, December 31.
The game will be played in Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
Strikers are coming off the back of successive defeats having enjoyed a bright start to the campaign.
Two narrow defeats to Brisbane Heat and table-toppers Perth Scorchers means their season has suffered a brief setback.
Stars are on as bad a run as any of their BBL rivals and have just a single victory from their five matches.
And of late, the margins of defeat have started to drift. They were beaten off the final ball by Sydney Thunder in the opening game, but more recently have been turned over by seven and six wickets by Sydey Sixers and the Scorchers.
Henry Thornton (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Adelaide Oval will play host to the battle of two of the leading seamers in the competition.
Henry Thornton is enjoying a BBL to remember and continues to lead the list of top wicket-takers in the 2022/23 tournament.
England left-armer Luke Wood trails his tally of 14 by just three, centrally thanks to his 5 for 50 against Scorchers.
It is expected to be a sunny day in Adelaide with highs of 32 degrees Celcius.
Strikers are without Jake Weatherald due to an abdominal strain and he will be assessed when the team return from Hobart.
Stars have named an unchanged squad for their first-ever match of New Year's Eve.
Adelaide Strikers: Wes Agar, Cameron Boyce, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Adam Hose, Henry Hunt, Thomas Kelly, Rashid Khan, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Matt Short, Jake Weatherald, Henry Thorton, Peter Siddle, Ben Manenti, Jordan Buckingham (local replacement player)
Melbourne Stars: Trent Boult, Joe Burns (injured), Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Campbell Kellaway, Tom O'Connell, Sam Elliott, Cam McClure, James Seymour (local replacement player)
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short, Jake Weatherald, Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, Colin de Grandhomme, Thomas Kelly, Harry Nielsen, Rashid Khan, Wes Agar, Henry Thorton, Peter Siddle
Melbourne Stars: Thomas Rogers, Joe Clarke, Beau Webster, Nick Larkin, Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Campbell Kellaway, Luke Wood, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa
The centre of attention: Luke Wood (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Strikers start the match as favourites with the bookmakers at 4/6, while Stars are 6/5.
Both sides have hit a downturn in form at just the wrong time but Strikers have proven themselves capable of a performance when it matters. Home win.
Tickets are $8-$15 and can be purchased on Ticketek.
Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.
Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia while coverage will also be available via streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.
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