MORE: Big Bash: Lunatics, louts and larrikins | AS IT HAPPENED: Second Test - Australia v India
What: Big Bash League
Who: Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes
When: Saturday, December 20 – 7.10pm (AEDT)
Where: Adelaide Oval
I Can Watch It On: Channel 10
Form Guide:
Strikers 2013/14: 7th
Stars 2013/14: Semi-finalists
20-20 Vision
England's explosive hitter Alex Hales and Pakistan's allrounder Shoaib Malik are the match winners for the Hurricanes.
They join Darren Sammy and Tim Bresnan as the big-name internationals, however Bresnan will only join as cover for Sammy when he leaves to join the West Indies squad for the upcoming World Cup.
The Tasmanians boast excellent batting depth, but also have proven performers with the ball in Ben Hilfenhaus and Xavier Doherty.
Also keep an eye out for young left-arm quick Sam Rainbird.
Despite a starring role with the bat from the Stars’ international sensation Kevin Pietersen, Melbourne Stars couldn’t overcome a rampaging Adelaide Strikers outfit at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. Another Englishman, Luke Wright, contributed 45 off 37 balls.
John Hastings was the most efficient Stars bowler, snaring the important first wicket of the dangerous Craig Simmons. But none of the others fired a shot.
Reason To Watch
This will be a re-match of the memorable BBL03 semi-final when the Hurricanes upset their highly fancied opponents to progress to the BBL Final.
Tempers flared in the build up to that match after Tim Paine accused the Stars of cheating the salary cap, and Stars president Eddie McGuire gave the former Test wicketkeeper a pasting in the media.
Reason To Turn Away
If Glenn Maxwell and Kevin Pietersen bat together at the crease, that might be too much ego to for some people to handle.
Say What
BBL commentator Ricky Ponting told Channel Ten that he believes Pietersen has provided himself with the perfect foundation for a big summer ahead with the Stars.
"He’s a proud man, he’s a proud player, any game that he plays he wants to have some personal success as well but he wants to play in winning teams," Ponting said on Network Ten.
"But for him to get off to the start that he did tonight it’s a good sign for him, it’s a great sign for the Stars, it’s a great sign for the tournament, so hopefully he can build on that and play some good innings right through the next few weeks," he said.
Final Word
Victorian-haters would love to see the Stars start the campaign 0-2.... And the Hurricanes have a decent roster and will be gunning for victory against their rivals.
However the Stars already have one match under their belt, and we think that gives them an advantage. Stars to win in a nailbiter.