As the popular Australia T20 League is reaching its concluding stage, Sydney Sixers will take on Melbourne Stars in the qualifier at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 31. The 58th match of the tournament will kick-start at 1:45 PM in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Melbourne Stars are reigning No. 1 on the points table with 10 wins out of 14 matches and 20 points, while Sydney Sixers have secured the second spot with 9 victories out of 14 matches they have played so far. Both the franchises have been performing exceedingly well and giving tough competition to one another for the No.1 position throughout the season.
After recovering from a side strain, Australian pacer Sean Abbott will return to the Sydney Sixers squad for the qualifier. Sixers will enter this contest after three consecutive wins, Melbourne Stars, on the other hand, have lost their previous encounter against Brisbane Heat.
Pitch Report
The pitch at MCG supports batsmen and the team batting first would be a great choice as the pitch slows down in the second half.
Weather Conditions
It will be absolutely bright and sunny in Melbourne on Friday. The temperature will hover around 24 to 40 degree Celsius with no chances of rain, so the match will be conducted without climatic interruptions.
Probable Playing XI
Melbourne Stars
AB de Villiers, Ben Laughlin, James Pattinson, Chris Lynn (c), Ben Cutting, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Heazlett, Mitchell Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Sydney Sixers
Moises Henriques (c), Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Steve Smith, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve O’Keefe, Sean Abbott, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
Key Players
Melbourne Stars
AB de Villiers
Chris Lynn
Sydney Sixers
Moises Henriques
Steve Smith
