There are few traditions in Australian sport as cherished as Boxing Day cricket, and this Friday, the SCG plays host to a blockbuster BBL|15 showdown between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars. It is a battle of contrasting momentum: the Stars are flying high at the top of the table, aiming for a third consecutive win, while the Sixers are fighting to prove their recent resurgence wasn’t a fluke.
The Sixers enter this Match 11 clash with renewed confidence. After a shaky start against the Scorchers and Strikers, they emphatically turned a corner in the Sydney Derby. Their 47-run demolition of the Thunder was built on a batting masterclass from Josh Philippe and Babar Azam, who powered them to an imposing 198. However, it was Jack Edwards who truly stole the show, ripping through the Thunder lineup with a stunning fifer to prove the Sixers are back in business.
Standing in their way is a Stars outfit in formidable touch. They have been clinical so far, underscored by their recent six-wicket dismantling of the Strikers. Their bowling attack, led by the raw pace of Haris Rauf and the smarts of Tom Curran, restricted Adelaide to a sub-par 155. The chase was handled with ease, as Marcus Stoinis and Sam Harper guided the side home with six wickets in hand.
With the Sixers finding their groove and the Stars looking invincible, the SCG is set for a classic encounter.
SS vs MS, BBL|15: Match details
- Date and Time: December 26; 12:35 pm IST / 7:05 am GMT / 6:05 pm Local
- Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
SS vs MS, Head-to-Head Record in BBL
Matches played: 24 | Sydney Sixers won: 15 | Melbourne Stars won: 08 | No result/Tied: 01
Sydney Cricket Ground Pitch Report
The SCG rarely disappoints, typically serving up a genuine contest between bat and ball rather than leaning too heavily one way. For the fast bowlers, there is usually some life in the pitch early on; expect the quicks to dictate terms with the new ball if they can find that early movement.
However, batters who respect that opening spell will find the surface settles down nicely. Once players get their eye in, the ball comes onto the bat well, and the lightning-fast outfield ensures full value for shots. As the ball softens in the middle overs, spinners often come into the game to control the tempo. With an average first-innings score hovering around 160, history suggests the pitch plays best early, making ‘bat first’ the likely strategy for the captain winning the toss.
Squads
Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis(c), Hilton Cartwright, Thomas Fraser Rogers, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Liam Hatcher, Hamish McKenzie, Jonathan Merlo
Sydney Sixers: Daniel Hughes, Babar Azam, Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Jordan Silk, Ben Dwarshuis, Kane Richardson, Sean Abbott, Jafer Chohan, Ben Manenti, Lachlan Shaw, Jake Scott
Also WATCH: Tom Curran knocks over Jason Sangha’s stumps with an absolute ripper in BBL|15
SS vs MS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Sydney Sixers wins the toss and bats first
- Sydney Sixers’ powerplay score: 50-55 (6 overs)
- Sydney Sixers’ total score: 170-180
Case 2:
- Melbourne Stars wins the toss and bats first
- Melbourne Stars’ powerplay score: 45-50 (6 overs)
- Melbourne Stars’ total score: 160-170
Match result: Team batting first to win the contest.
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