Both Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers have been sensational in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) as they both have eight points to their name from seven games and are fourth and third on the points table respectively. They meet for the second time of the season as the Stars won the bragging rights last time around. They meet again on January 6 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and it is expected to be a feisty affair.

Stars defeated their city rivals Melbourne Renegades by eight wickets in the last match, as Daniel Lawrence picked up two wickets while Joel Paris, Imad Wasim, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster and skipper Glenn Maxwell picked up one each. With the bat, Thomas Rogers gave the much-needed start, as he hit 46* runs off 34 deliveries while Maxwell played a quick cameo of 32* runs off 15 deliveries. Thus, the Stars are more or less sorted and will give a tough fight to the Sixers.

The Moises Henriques-led side, on the other hand, has been unlucky as they lost their last two matches, while two of them were called off. Stumper-batter Josh Philippe looked to be in good touch while Henriques and Jack Edwards did reasonably well with the bat in the last match. Bowlers however will have to step up to help the Sixers qualify for the playoffs of the competition.

Probable Playing XI of Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers

Melbourne Stars – Quinton de Kock (wk), Jordan Cox, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Shaun Marsh, Jonathan Wells, Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland (c), Tom Rogers, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle, Kane Richardson

Sydney Sixers – Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Tom Curran, Jack Edwards, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Todd Murphy, Steve OKeefe