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
Melbourne Stars take on Perth Scorchers in match 12 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 3:30pm local time (4:30 am GMT) on Friday, December 23.
The game will be played at the CitiPower Centre in Melbourne.
Both sides have played two games so far in BBL12; both have returned one win and a loss.
The Stars come into the game off the back of a big win against Hobart Hurricanes. The Scorchers did the opposite and lost to the Hurricanes in a close affair.
The Stars inflicted a 38-run victory over the Hurricanes, with Joe Clarke the decisive factor. The English batsman struck 101 not out in just 66 deliveries. Both sides sit well posed with Melbourne in third while the Scorchers sit in fourth, below their opponents just on net run rate.
The two sides have met on 20 occasions in the BBL. There have been 11 wins for the Scorchers and eight for the Stars: with one of the fixtures having no result due to the weather. The Scorchers average just under 145 against their opponents, while the Stars average a surprisingly low 132.6 in this fixture. The Scorchers have won the past three meetings between the sides.
Trent Boult is part of the Melbourne Stars squad [Getty Images]
Joe Clarke is the dangerman coming into this fixture for the Stars after his impressive unbeaten century against Hobart. Jhye Richardson leads a threatening bowling attack for Perth Scorchers. The Aussie quick took four wickets for just nine runs in their opening game of the campaign - the clash between him and Clarke will be fascinating early in the Stars' innings.
Marcus Stoinis comes into the game off the back of two ducks and could take his frustration out on the Scorchers. However, if Stoinis fails again, the Scorchers will be chasing the wind after the Stars' two previous games displayed cracks in their middle order.
Partly cloudy conditions are expected but the rain should hold off; temperatures will touch 24 degrees Celsius.
Perth Scorchers will continue to have to get used to life without Tymal Mills after the English quick withdrew from BBL12 - he has since revealed that his young daughter suffered a stroke. The Stars are without a star of their own in the shape of Glenn Maxwell, who is out of the whole tournament after breaking his leg.
The Stars are also without batter Jos Burns; a hamstring tear means he will sit out the entire season. James Seymour has been brought into the Stars' squad as an injury replacement player.
Melbourne Stars: Trent Boult, Joe Burns (injured), Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Campbell Kellaway, Tom O'Connell, Sam Elliott, Cam McClure, James Seymour (local replacement player)
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Faf du Plessis (replacing Laurie Evans, first seven matches only), Adam Lyth (replacing Phil Salt, first half only), Stephen Eskinazi, Hamish McKenzie, David Payne (replacement for Tymal Mills for second half of the season)
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, Luke Wood, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa
Perth Scorchers: Adam Lyth, Faf du Plessis, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Ashton Turner [c], Aaron Hardie, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff
Perth Scorchers are looking for their second win of the season [Getty Images]
Melbourne Stars are marginal outsiders with the bookmakers, with a best-price 11/10 on offer, while Perth Scorchers are generally available at 8/11.
The Stars take the victory with form being on their side.
Yes. Tickets are available on Ticketek, with general admission starting from $5.
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.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.