SS vs MS, BBL|15, Match Prediction: Who will win today’s match between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars?

There are few traditions in Australian sport as cherished as cricket on Boxing Day, and this Friday the SCG plays host to a blockbuster BBL|15 showdown between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars. It’s a battle of contrasting momentum: the Stars are flying high at the top of the table and aiming for a third straight win, while the Sixers are fighting to prove their recent resurgence was no fluke.

The Sixers enter this Match 11 match with renewed confidence. After a shaky start against the Scorchers and Strikers, they turned an emphatic corner in the Sydney Derby. Their 47-run demolition of the Thunder was built on a batting masterclass from Josh Philippe and Babar Azam, which took them to an imposing 198. However, it was Jack Edwards who really stole the show, ripping through the Thunder lineup with a stunning five to prove the Sixers are back in business.

Standing in the way is a Stars outfit with a formidable touch. They have been clinical so far, which is underlined by the recent dismantling of the Strikers by six wickets. Their bowling attack, led by the raw pace of Haris Rauf and the cleverness of Tom Curranrestricted Adelaide to an under-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 feet and the Stars looking invincible, the SCG is primed 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
• Location: 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/draw: 01

Sydney Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The SCG rarely disappoints and usually offers a real battle between bat and ball rather than leaning too heavily on one way. For the fast bowlers, there is usually some life on the field early on; expect the fast players to dictate the terms for the new ball if they can find that early movement.

However, batters who respect this opening statement will find that the surface settles nicely. Once players put their eye into it, the ball lands well on the bat and the lightning-fast outfield provides full value for shots. As the ball softens in the middle overs, spinners often come into play to control the pace. With the average first innings score hovering around 160, history suggests the pitch plays best early, making ‘bat first’ the likely strategy for the captain who wins 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

WATCH also: Tom Curran knocks over Jason Sangha’s stumps with an absolute ripper in BBL|15

SS vs MSBBL|15: Today’s match prediction

Case 1:

• Sydney Sixers win the toss and bat 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

Competition result: Team to bat first to win the match.

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