MACQUARIE’S SUMMER OF CRICKET LINE-UP TONIGHT: Tony Leonard and Dean Jones

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Strikers Win! 

The Melbourne Stars slim finals hopes have officially been dashed with a eight wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers at the Adelaide oval. The Strikers cruised to 2/152 as they rubbed more salt into the Stars wounds.

The Strikers chased the Stars score of 151 in 18 overs and destroyed the Melbourne side all night. Travis Head was at his destructive best with a captains knock of 53. Alex Carey continued his good form too carrying his bat and ending the innings 59 not out.

The Stars were sloppy in the field all night dropping two catches in the final 4 overs to let the Strikers cruise to victory.

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis took 1 wicket each – with Stoinis having a catch dropped off his bowling by Maxwell.

The Stars bowled tight early on before Head, Weatherald and Carey tore the Stars apart to take top spot and book a home final at the Adelaide Oval again.

The Melbourne Stars are now anchored to the bottom of the BBL ladder with 5 straight losses as they lament more missed opportunities with bat and ball.

The Strikers will now lose Travis Head to national duty whilst the Stars lose Marcus Stoinis and potentially Glenn Maxwell should he be picked to replace Chris Lynn.

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Travis Head was outstanding for the Strikers scoring 53 and carrying his team over the line against the Melbourne Stars.

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INNINGS BREAK 

The Melbourne Stars have limped to 151 at the end of 20 overs thanks to 60 runs from Glenn Maxwell. The Stars recovered 3/34 after Kevin Pietersen, Ben Dunk and Peter Handscomb were early casualties.

Kevin Pietersen threw his wicket away – bowled by Billy Stanlake trying to slog the ball away over the leg side.

Maxwell had a point to prove after not being selected in the Australian ODI side during the week but may now be in line for a recall following tonight’s innings with Chris Lynn now out of the side.

Maxwell and Seb Gotch put on a nice partnership to get the Stars back into the contest and gave the Stars a handy – yet underwhelming total.

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TOSS

Stars win the toss and elect to Bat.

Full teams

Stars XI: Stoinis, Dunk, Maxwell, Pietersen, Handscomb, Gotch, Faulkner, Hastings (c), Zampa, Boland, Coleman

Strikers XI: Weatherald, Carey, Head (c), Ingram, Wells, Lehmann, Neser, Khan, Siddle, Laughlin, Stanlake

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PREVIEW

The Melbourne Stars are in a state of panic at the moment sitting last on the ladder with 0 wins from 4 outings.

The Stars season is basically done – but a win here wouldn’t make it impossible to make a late run at the finals as they have become accustomed to in recent seasons.

They take on the ladder leading Adelaide Strikers – a talent laden side who do the little things right and get consistent contributions across the board from their players.

Colin Ingram dominated the last game against the Thunder hitting an array of shots all over the Spotless Stadium. The strong South African hit 48 off 31 balls and showed his power throughout to help the Strikers to a total of 158 – which was too good for the Thunder.

Rashid Khan has been their chief destroyer for the Strikers – taking 10 wickets this tournament so far and proving largely unplayable throughout the tournament so far.

Melbourne will need to be at their very best tonight if they are going to cause an upset and will need strong showings from Kevin Pietersen, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dunk and Marcus Stoinis. Luke Wright is out after a training mishap with Seb Gotch to replace him at the top of the order – they will need tighter bowling  from the quicks as well if they are any chance.

If the Stars are any chance they will need to penetrate the Adelaide top order who have proven to be hard to remove this season with Alex Carey and Jake Weatherald at the top and Travis Head and Colin Ingram in the middle order they are talent laden team all around. Khan in the middle order has provided quick runs too as has Jono Wells and Michael Neser.

It is going to be a tough match for the Stars – with Adelaide just doing the little things right throughout games. Expect a tight contest though with the Stars to throw everything they have at the Strikers in the hopes of getting their season back on track.

Join us from 7pm AEDT on 3AW in Melbourne, 5AA in Adelaide and
NTS Digital around the country or through the Cricket Australia
website and app as Tony Leonard and Dean Jones bring you every ball
from the Adelaide Oval.

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RECAP

Perth Scorchers a thriller at the WACA against the Renegades to claim top spot last night.

Click HERE for the full report and highlights from the WACA

Hobart Hurricanes won their third consecutive match in the first of yesterdays double header.

Click HERE for the full report and highlights from Hobart