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 Sydney Sixers in match 31 of BBL12, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 6.30pm local time (7.30am GMT) on Tuesday, January 3.
The game is being played in Melbourne at the MCG.
Melbourne Stars are rock bottom, have won just one of their last five games and only twice all season, while their derby defeat by Melbourne Renegades has mostly been remembered for Adam Zampa's attempted runout at the non-striker's end.
Sydney Sixers, meanwhile, are always there or thereabouts and this year has been no different.
They've lost three of their games so far but sit third, frustrated by a washout against Brisbane Heat last time out. They will have earmarked this one - against a side short on runs and confidence - for a return to winning ways.
Joe Clarke has been Stars' main source of runs, while Sixers have shared the load: Jordan Silk, James Vince and Josh Philippe have all passed 150 for the season.
Sixers have Chris Jordan at their disposal (Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Getting Clarke early will be key for Sixers, particularly with Marcus Stoinis fighting for his best form and Glenn Maxwell absent. Stoinis made 74 of his 94 tournament runs in a single innings, with Beau Webster the only regular supporting act for Clarke, who has the competition's only century so far in this edition.
Both sides have a potent left-armer: Luke Wood and Trent Boult for Stars, Hayden Kerr for Sixers. Kerr has 11 wickets in eight games, Wood 13 in seven.
Zampa, Stars' captain, hasn't been prolific but has conceded his runs at just 6.85 per over.
A sunny day is expected, with highs of 26 degrees Celsius.
Melbourne Stars are unchanged from the squad that lost against Renegades. It is also Boult's last appearance of the season.
Sixers are resting Steve O'Keefe, the veteran left-arm spinner, who was terrific against Brisbane Heat before rain curtailed that contest.
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)
Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Izharulhaq Naveed, Chris Jordan, Steve O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Todd Murphy, Mickey Edwards, Jack Edwards, Steve Smith, Josh Kann (local replacement player), Naveen-ul-Haq (partial replacement for Chris Jordan)
*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, Campbell Kellaway, Luke Wood, Trent Boult, Liam Hatcher, Adam Zampa
Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Jordan, Izharulaq Naveed
Stars' last outing had a controversial element... (Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
Sydney Sixers are heavy favourites at 8/11, with Melbourne Stars at 5/4.
Sydney Sixers are the better side with greater depth and a winning habit. Sixers win.
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.
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