- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Melbourne Stars meet the Hobart Hurricanes in Game 3 of the 2014/15 Big Bash League. Will they get revenge for the shock semi-final loss to the Hurricanes last season? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:10pm (AEDT)
The Stars went through last season undefeated only to be bundled out at the business end by the Hurricanes. Subsequently the Hurricanes went onto the Champions League and were the best performed Australian side, making the semi-finals.
For this reason there will be a bit of feeling in this game, as prior to the semi-final last year the two franchises clashed over alleged player payments being made outside the rules.
The Melbourne Stars are the glamour team of the BBL but also underachievers. The backroom has contained big names like Eddie McGuire, Viv Richards, Ian Chappell and Shane Warne over the seasons but they haven’t transferred the glamour into wins.
This year is no exception with the recruitment of Kevin Pietersen. KP is a match winner and a glamour signing, but will he gel the dressing room like he has done in England? There are some big egos in play here not only KP but the also Glenn ‘the Big Show’ Maxwell.
The Stars started the season with a disappointing performance against the Strikers in Adelaide. This was their first loss in a roster match for two years.
It was interesting to see them play two spinners in Rose and Beer. The BBL teams are starting to realize that good slow bowlers are generally more economical in limited overs cricket. The Hurricanes will offset this by playing both Doherty and Boyce.
The Stars, whilst recruiting KP have lost Malinga and Brad Hodge. Malinga could be a huge hole to fill judging from Thursday night.
Let’s get the most used headline out of the way now… Hurricanes Halestorm!
Alex Hales has joined the Hurricanes and together with Darren Sammy are the two internationals starting this season. The Hurricanes got little value out of Shoaib Malik and Owais Shah last year, so this will be a bonus.
Whilst making the final last year, it was felt that they lacked another all rounder to give them more depth. To this end Sammy could prove a great recruit; it’s unfortunate that both their imports are here for just the first half of the series. Tim Bresnan and Shoiab Malik will replace them at the back end, due to World Cup commitments.
Prediction: Stars to make amends for Thursday night and win at home.
Will The Hurricanes inflict more embarrassment on the glamour team Melbourne Stars or will KP earn his money and see off the Halestorm?
Join The Roar Saturday at 7:10pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.