Key Facts
- The Melbourne Stars is positioned eighth on the BBL|14 ladder with four points from seven matches.
- The Sydney Sixers is currently leading the tournament with nine points from six matches.
- Sean Abbott is returning to the Sixers squad after completing his Test duties against India.
- Beau Webster is rejoining the Stars lineup following his Test debut performance in Sydney.
- James Vince is approaching a milestone, needing 40 runs to reach 2,000 BBL runs for the Sixers.
- The Sixers team is maintaining the highest batting average of 32.8 in BBL|14.
- Tom Rogers is leading the tournament’s wicket-taking chart with 13 dismissals.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | BBL |
| Teams | Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) |
| Date | Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
| Time | 7:15 PM AEDT (Bat flip 6:30 PM) |
| Broadcast | Channel Seven, 7plus, Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports |
| Radio | ABC Sport, SEN |
| Officials | Donovan Koch, Simon Lightbody (on-field), Phil Gillespie (third), Chris Grant (fourth) |
Squad Compositions
Melbourne Stars Squad:
- Marcus Stoinis (c)
- Hilton Cartwright
- Ben Duckett
- Sam Harper
- Dan Lawrence
- Glenn Maxwell
- Jonathan Merlo
- Usama Mir
- Joel Paris
- Tom Rogers
- Peter Siddle
- Mark Steketee
- Douglas Warren
- Beau Webster
Sydney Sixers Squad:
- Moises Henriques (c)
- Sean Abbott
- Joel Davies
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Jack Edwards
- Akeal Hosein
- Hayden Kerr
- Todd Murphy
- Kurtis Patterson
- Mitch Perry
- Josh Philippe
- Lachlan Shaw
- Jordan Silk
- James Vince
Match Significance
The Melbourne Cricket Ground hosts a crucial BBL|14 encounter where stakes are particularly high for the Melbourne Stars. Coming off two consecutive victories, they need another win to keep their finals hopes alive. The Sydney Sixers, leading the points table, aim to consolidate their position after their previous match was affected by rain.
Team Updates and Form
Melbourne Stars The Stars receive a significant boost with Beau Webster’s return following his Test debut. Their recent form shows improvement, with Marcus Stoinis leading the batting charts with 242 runs. Ben Duckett has been exceptional, scoring three fifties in his last four innings. Tom Rogers continues to impress with the ball, leading the tournament’s wicket-taking list with 13 dismissals.
Sydney Sixers The Sixers welcome back Sean Abbott from Test duties, strengthening their bowling attack. This match marks the final BBL|14 appearance for overseas stars James Vince and Akeal Hosein. Vince’s record against the Stars is remarkable, with scores of 70+ in his last four innings against them (91*, 83, 79, 101*).
Statistical Highlights
- The Sixers maintain a tournament-best team batting average of 32.8
- Their boundary-hitting rate is one every six deliveries
- The Stars have won their last two matches in Victoria
- The Sixers have dominated this fixture, winning 11 of their last 12 matches against the Stars
- Ben Duckett joins elite company as only the fourth Stars player to score three or more fifties in a single BBL season
Venue and Conditions
The MCG provides a perfect setting for this crucial encounter. The Stars have shown improved form at home, seeking consecutive victories in Victoria for the first time since December 2022. The venue’s dimensions and characteristics will play a crucial role in both teams’ strategies.
Broadcast Information
Viewers can catch the action live on multiple platforms:
- Television: Channel Seven and Fox Cricket
- Streaming: 7plus and Kayo Sports
- Radio: ABC Sport and SEN
- Live scores and updates: Match Centre on cricket.com.au
Tournament Impact
A win for the Stars would keep their finals hopes alive while potentially affecting the Sixers’ top position on the ladder. The Sixers aim to maintain their impressive run rate and batting statistics while adapting to their last match with key overseas players.
Match Officials
- On-field Umpires: Donovan Koch and Simon Lightbody
- Third Umpire: Phil Gillespie
- Fourth Umpire: Chris Grant
- Match Referee: Bob Stratford
This match represents a critical juncture in BBL|14, particularly for the Stars’ campaign, while the Sixers look to maintain their impressive season momentum and secure their position at the top of the table.
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