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Third-placed Hobart Hurricanes lock horns against fifth-placed Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.

Hobart won their last game against Brisbane Heat by 1 run. Despite posting only 150 onboard, their bowlers came up with a heroic effort. Riley Meredith picked three wickets for 21 runs. Scott Boland successfully defended 7 runs off the last over. 

Melbourne was thrashed by 75 runs by Sydney Thunder in their last match. Chasing a mammoth total of 220, their batsmen never got going. Marcus Stoinis scored 27 runs. They lost wickets regularly. Liam Hatcher and Adam Zampa were very expensive with the ball as they conceded 100 runs together.

Team News 

Sandeep Lamichhane has joined the Hobart squad and may play this game. D Arcy Short needs to give a strong start to the side.

Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran will look to score heavily in the middle overs. Nathan Coulter-Nile's injury has come as big blow to the team and they lack viable bowling options. Zampa has been suspended for 1 match after being penalized for audible obscenity on the field.

Pitch and Conditions 

Out of six matches played in Hobart this season, the team batting first has won on four occasions. Totals in the range of 180-200 can be successfully defended. If one batsman plays a big knock, the others can stick around him and post a huge total.

Probable Playing XI

Hobart Hurricanes (HBH): D Arcy Short, Ben McDermott (wk), Dawid Malan, Peter Handscomb (c), Colin Ingram, Tim David, Keemo Paul, Nathan Ellis/Sandeep Lamichhane, Wil Parker, Riley Meredith, Scott Boland

Melbourne Stars (MLS): Andre Fletcher, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Nic Maddinson, Ben Dunk, Jonathan Merlo/Dilbar Hussain, Liam Hatcher, Billy Stanlake, Zahir Khan

Key Battles

Colin Ingram vs Billy Stanlake

Colin Ingram vs Billy Stanlake

Ingram hit 24 runs in the previous match. The southpaw is a fearless batsman and a lethal striker of the ball. He possesses a lot of elegance and grace in his shot-making. He has proved his worth in T20 leagues across the world.

Stanlake took two wickets for 19 runs in the last game. With his tall frame, he can bowl at express pace. He can trouble batsmen by generating extra bounce off the pitch. He often bowls a nagging line and length that does not give away many runs.

Scott Boland vs Andre Fletcher

Scott Boland vs Andre Fletcher

Fletcher hit only 18 runs in the last match. The explosive opener has a solid technique and never allows the pacers to settle down with his variety of shots all over the mark. He has not been up to the mark in his debut season in the BBL with just 52 runs to his credit in five matches.

Boland had a good outing with the ball taking two wickets and conceding just 18 runs in his four-over quota against Brisbane. He has proved his worth at the death with his yorkers and slower balls. He can stop the run flow effectively.

Prediction 

A win for Hobart could take them to the top of the table. Melbourne can make it to the fourth spot with a victory. Melbourne have some power-hitters in their line-up while Hobart has a good set of bowlers who can defend any target.

Cricwizz predicts Melbourne Stars to win the match