December 27: Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers
Our XI: Jake Weatherald, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Glenn Maxwell (capt), Alex Carey (wk), Jonathan Wells, Rashid Khan, Wes Agar, Adam Zampa, Dale Steyn, Harry Conway
NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about a late injury (or other relevant) updates
Captain: Glenn Maxwell
An absolutely safe pick. The big hitter can also roll his arm over and pick up quick wickets. In the previous match against Hobart Hurricanes, he finished with figures of 2 for 15 in three overs, dismissing the dangerous D’Arcy Short and David Miller. He played a captain’s knock in the Stars’ opening game against Brisbane Heat, scoring a 39-ball 83. In the only T20I played at this ground, last year, he top scored with a measured 23-ball 38 as Australia stumbled in a low-scorer against South Africa.
Vice-captain: Alex Carey
With BBL scores of 55 and 45 after an impressive run in the domestic first-class tournament, Carey is in top form and should slot right into your XI. Plus, he can pick up valuable points for you behind the stumps too.
Hot picks
Jake Weatherald: The opener has been key to the Strikers’ batting this season so far. He’s come into the tournament with good form and has kept the momentum going, scoring a 42 in the opening match followed by a 47-ball 83 in the Strikers’ win against Perth Scorchers on Monday.
Dale Steyn: The South African fast bowler could finally make his BBL debut on Friday night. He needs no introduction, but he is coming into the tournament on the back of an impressive display in the Mzansi Super League, where he finished as the third-highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps in eight matches for the Cape Town Blitz.
Value picks
Marcus Stoinis: The star allrounder is a good bet in the T20 format in general. Opening the batting for the Stars, he blasted an unbeaten 54-ball 81 in the game against the Hurricanes on Sunday.
Adam Zampa: The legspinner has delivered in the Stars’ first two matches this season. In Carrara last week, he strangled the Brisbane Heat line-up, bringing down the scoring rate and eventually sealing a Stars’ win. Tom Banton, Chris Lynn and Sam Heazelett were his victims on the day as he finished with figures of 3 for 30.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo