Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers Prediction & Match Preview – BBL 34th Match

Melbourne Stars look to be back in rhythm after an eight-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades ended a three-match losing run. With two group games left, one at home, they have a real chance to push for the qualifiers.

Sam Harper has been the batter of the season so far, and Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Campbell Kellaway support him in the middle order, Stoinis having made 186 runs and Kellaway 153. Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle have taken 29 wickets between them, Mitch Swepson handles the spin, and Tom Curran and Stoinis have shared 23 wickets.

Adelaide Strikers are sixth with three wins and five defeats from eight games and must win both remaining matches while relying on other results. Captain Matthew Short has 242 runs, Liam Scott 274 and Chris Lynn 149 at a strike rate of 146. Lloyd Pope and Jamie Overton have taken 24 wickets between them, while Luke Wood has eight but is going at 9.38 an over.

Probable playing XI

Pitch report

The MCG surface is true and sporting. Pace bowlers can extract bounce and carry from the slightly grassy pitch early on, so disciplined opening overs matter, and it tends to flatten out for batters later. Spinners get limited help, with the large boundaries rewarding placement over raw power.

Expected scores

• 1st innings: 155–170
• 2nd innings: 145–165

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