The 31st league match of the Big Bash League 2022-23 will be played between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. This is a rivalry between two big cities at the biggest sporting venue in the country.
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Melbourne Stars have just won a couple of their 7 matches in the tournament so far, and they are in desperate need of a win. The batters of this side have struggled so far in the tournament, and this is the biggest worry of the side. This is a very important game for them, and they big players of the side will have to step up.
Sydney Sixers have won four of their eight games in the tournament, and they are one of the most stable sides. With the arrival of Daniel Hughes, the batting of the side has gotten a lot stronger. This side looks great on paper.
STA vs SIX pitch report
Melbourne Cricket Ground is certainly one of the best venues in the world to play a T20 game. This is one of those grounds where there is some or other kind of help for almost everyone. The pitch is good for batting, but the bigger boundaries of the ground bring the bowlers into the play as well.
A couple of BBL 12 matches have been played here so far, where the average 1st innings score has been 162 runs and both matches have been won by the teams batting first. A drop-in pitch will be used at the MCG, and it has an even amount of bounce, and the batters will love their time out there in the middle.
Had to run this one again ahead of tomorrow.
147* against the Sixers at the MCG! An incredible innings from Marcus Stoinis in BBL|09 🙌 pic.twitter.com/EASIZzpi9A
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 5, 2023
The pacers have done really well so far in the tournament at this venue, where Tom Rogers scalped a fifer in the last game. In the middle-overs, the spinners can take use of the bigger boundaries. Looking at the conditions here, batting first may not be a bad idea upon winning the toss.
