WBBL 2018-19, Match 16: Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips

The Perth Scorchers moved ahead of Melbourne Stars with a comprehensive win on Saturday by eight wickets despite the absence of their skipper Meg Lanning. Some tight bowling effort helped the Scorchers restrict the Stars to 124/9. The stand-in skipper Ellyse Villani anchored the run-chase with an unbeaten 49-ball 52 despite losing Amy Jones and Nicole Bolton early. Villani needs to continue her form in the reverse fixture against the Stars on Sunday.

The Melbourne Stars need to regroup before the next game to stop the losing streak. After a couple of wins, while chasing to start the season, the Stars were thrashed by the Hobart Hurricanes which dent their NRR. In the game against Perth, their batters struggled to get out. A change in order could be seen in the upcoming game due to the inconsistency of a couple of the key players.

Match Details:

The 16th match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) will be played between Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers at the Casey Fields No 4 in Melbourne.

The match starts at 10:00 AM local time (11:00 PM GMT – Prev Day) (4:30 AM IST).

The game will be streamed live on Cricket Australia website and on the WBBL Facebook page.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Saturday game between these two sides at the Casey Fields No 4 ground didn’t produce big totals as expected. This venue in Melbourne had an average first innings score of 121 in last WBBL season. Batting first, the Stars made 124, which is well below a winning total. Only once a team batting first won here last season that too after posting 144. In the other three matches in 2017/18, the teams batting second chased down targets less than 125 with at least two overs and five wickets to spare.

Squads:

Melbourne Stars:

Kristen Beams (C), Makinley Blows, Elly Donald, Mignon du Preez, Georgia Elwiss, Nicole Faltum, Holly Ferling, Nicola Hancock, Alana King, Lizelle Lee, Katie Mack, Erin Osborne, Chloe Rafferty, Angela Reakes, Annabel Sutherland.

Perth Scorchers:

Elyse Villani (C), Megan Banting, Nicole Bolton, Hayleigh Brennan, Kate Cross, Bhavisha Devchand, Lauren Ebsary, Heather Graham, Hayley Jensen, Amy Jones, Emma King, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo.

Probable XI:

Melbourne Stars:

Kristen Beams (C), Lizelle Lee, Angela Reakes, Katie Mack/Makinley Blows, Erin Osborne, Mignon du Preez, Georgia Elwiss, Holly Ferling, Nicola Hancock, Alana King, Annabel Sutherland.

Perth Scorchers:

Elyse Villani (C), Nicole Bolton, Amy Jones, Lauren Ebsary, Hayleigh Brennan, Kate Cross, Hayley Jensen, Heather Graham, Emma King, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo.

Power Picks:

Hayley Jensen was dropped at the WWT20 after a poor game but pacer made an impact in her first appearance in this season. Coming into the squad in place of Lanning, the New Zealand bowler took 2/30 in her four overs sharing the new ball.

Best Playing XI:

Lizelle Lee, Angela Reakes, Mignon du Preez, Lauren Ebsary, Elyse Villani, Heather Graham, Erin Osborne, Nicole Bolton, Kristen Beams, Kate Cross, Hayley Jensen.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Elyse Villani’s form makes her an ideal option for one of the multipliers. The Scorchers’ opener has scores of 58, 32, 45 and 52* in this season so far. Heather Graham’s all-round skills can come handy once again as she should be the other multiplier.

Expert Advice:

Twice in two days, the shootout of picking one among Lizelle Lee and Amy Jones is going to happen as both are placed in wicketkeepers’ category. Lizelle can do any sort of damage on her day but Jones opening the batting works as well.

Probable Winners:

Melbourne Stars are expected to bounce back to defeat Perth Scorchers in the reverse fixture.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

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