Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers Prediction: Stars looking for their first win

Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers are going head to head in the 7th Match of Big Bash League at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia on 13 Dec 2023. Stars will be eager to get their season off and running with first win. Who will win this game of cricket?

Last season, the Melbourne Stars finished as the lowest-ranked team. Their current season hasn't started well either, as they suffered a loss to the Brisbane Heat on the first night of the tournament. Their upcoming match against the defending champions poses a challenging task for them.

Despite having a strong group of batsmen, the Stars failed to capitalize on their potential and lost to Brisbane by a significant margin of 108 runs. Tom Rogers and Sam Harper are expected to open the batting for the Stars, aiming to provide a solid start for the team.

The middle order features quality batsmen such as Joe Burns, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis. Since they are not involved in the upcoming Test match against Pakistan, they will be available to play in this match. Additionally, the Stars have all-rounders Hilton Cartwright and Liam Dawson, who possess the ability to score quick runs.

On the opening night, the team's bowling performance was extremely poor, conceding over 200 runs. The seam attack, composed of Joel Paris, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Olly Stone, will try to take early wickets, while Usama Mir and Liam Dawson will handle the spin department.

Thomas Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Liam Dawson, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Haris Rauf, Brody Couch

Due to safety concerns, the opening match of the Perth Scorchers was canceled, resulting in the team sharing points with the Melbourne Renegades. The Perth Scorchers have been the most successful team in the BBL, winning the title a record 5 times. With many of their key players retained, they are aiming for another impressive performance. Cooper Connolly, who played a vital role in the Scorchers' victory in BBL 12, is expected to be promoted to the opening position alongside Stevie Eskinazi. The team's middle-order includes Aaron Hardie, the top run-scorer of the previous season, Josh Inglis, Ashton Turner, Nick Hobson, and Laurie Evans. With experienced players like Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, and Jason Behrendorff, the Perth Scorchers possess a strong bowling attack. Hamish McKenzie is likely to be the team's specialized spinner.

Stephen Eskinazi, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Turner (c), Laurie Evans, Nick Hobson, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Hamish McKenzie, Jason Behrendorff

The team that wins the coin toss will probably choose to field first. The playing surface at the MCG is evenly balanced, offering a fair competition between the batting and bowling sides. Initially, the seamers will have some advantage due to swing and seam movement. However, as the ball ages, it becomes easier for batsmen to execute their shots. A score of around 140-150 is considered average on this pitch. Rain and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day, which may result in delays or interruptions.

Considering the strengths and weaknesses of the teams on paper, it is believed that the Perth Scorchers are the stronger team and likely to come out on top. They have a well-established core unit and consistently find quality replacements for any international players who may be absent. It is recommended to place bets on the Perth Scorchers to win.