Preview
Two of the most competitive sides in the history of the Big Bash League head into each other in the ninth game of the tournament. While three-time champions, Perth Scorchers, began with a loss against Melbourne Renegades, the Stars come off the back of two successive wins on back-to-back days.
With the sides at two ends of the points table, this makes for an interesting contest, especially because the Scorchers are way better than they have shown themselves to be. The Stars, meanwhile, will be hoping to string together a hat-trick of wins to strengthen their position at the top early in the season.
Team news
While the Stars have won two games on the trot, they have a major change in their line-up with overseas pacer from Pakistan, Dilbar Hussain unavailable. This could open up a spot for Zahir Khan the Afghanistan spinner who is capable of bamboozling batsmen. They are likely to remain unchanged otherwise.
The Scorchers could benefit from a return for Ashton Agar while Matthew Kelly or Joel Paris could also get a game. Sam Whiteman could also be considered in the batting order.
Overall squads
Melbourne Stars: Hilton Cartwright, Jackson Coleman, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Dunk, Andre Fletcher, Seb Gotch, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Dilbar Hussain, Zahir Khan, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jono Merlo, Lance Morris, Tom O’Connell, Nicholas Pooran, Will Pucovski, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Joe Clarke, Cameron Gannon, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Liam Livingstone, Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro, Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson, Jason Roy, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman
Probable XI
Melbourne Stars: Marcus Stoinis, Andre Fletcher, Hilton Cartwright, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nick Larkin, Ben Dunk (wk), Clint Hinchliffe, Liam Hatcher, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Zahir Khan
Perth Scorchers: Colin Munro, Josh Inglis (wk), Joe Clarke, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner (c), Cameron Bancroft, Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed
Key players
Jason Behrendorff: While he went wicketless last game, Jason Behrendorff is a potent threat with the new ball and can be a destructive force upfront, especially when the conditions aid swing and seam movement. The left-arm pacer is a natural wicket-taker and could be quite a handful against the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright.
Glenn Maxwell: Coming off the back of a good T20 season with Australia and some valuable runs in ODIs this year, Glenn Maxwell hit the ground running for the Melbourne Stars this season. The off-spinner has also stepped into bowling duties comfortably and could be a major force for the Stars this season.