BBL7 - Strikers v Stars Preview (Plus The Lurker's Pick and Bank)

Adelaide Strikers (4-1) v Melbourne Stars (0-4) @ Adelaide Oval
 
Head to Head History - Melbourne Stars 4, Adelaide Strikers 2
 
Last 5 - Melbourne Stars 3, Adelaide Strikers 2.  
 
Adelaide Strikers 13-Man Squad - Travis Head (c), Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jono Dean, Colin Ingram, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells,
 
Melbourne Stars 13-Man Squad - John Hastings (c), Michael Beer, Scott Boland, Jackson Coleman, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Seb Gotch, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa
 
Preview - The highflying Adelaide Strikers will be looking to add to the Melbourne Stars misery when they lock hocks at Adelaide Oval tonight. The Strikers powered their way to another win over the Thunder at Spotless Stadium to get to 4-1, and are looking in great shape to return to the finals for the first time in three seasons. The Stars are 0-4 and in a huge hole after back-to-back winless performances at home against the Heat and Renegades. The Stars have passed 160 just once in four games this year, as their big name batting line-up has failed to fire, leaving them cast adrift at the bottom of the table with the Sixers. 
 
Big Batting Battle - Luke Wright v Colin Ingram - Two overseas imports here in Luke Wright and Colin Ingram who are having contrasting tournaments. Wright has largely repaid the Stars for their faith in him over the years, however I just wonder whether his best years are behind him. Wright struggled last season and has been a non-factor through four games this year, with 71 runs at an average of 17.8. Colin Ingram has found his feet in the last two games with scores of 66 and 48, giving real quality and power to a Strikers’ middle order in need of some superstar qualities. 
 
Big Bowling Battle - Rashid Khan v Adam Zampa - Two very good and competitive leg spinners in Rashid Khan and Adam Zampa will have a big impact on which team ultimately takes the spoils tonight. Khan is a leading contender for Player of the Tournament through five games, having taken three wickets in every game and conceding less than 6 runs per over. Zampa has struggled somewhat this year in a team lacking confidence, having taken just two wickets in the opening four games combined, and conceding over 8 runs per over. 
 
Ground Dynamic - Adelaide Oval - The Strikers’ attack, having bowled so well in the two games at Adelaide Oval so far this year, probably masks the fact this is still a very good ground for batting. There is one short square boundary, so expect the batsmen to try and clear the ropes there, whilst the bowlers try and defend the longer straight boundaries and the longer square side of the field. The side batting first will be hoping for a score of around 170 to be confident of getting the chocolates. 
 
THE LURKER'S PICK (12-10) - Melbourne Stars -  'I'm given the Stars one last chance, otherwise they are dead to me" 
 
THE LURKER'S 10-UNIT BANK (Running Tally = - 32 Units) 
 
(Tab Odds)

4 Units Melbourne Stars to win by 1-20 runs or 1-4 wickets @ $7

4 Units Strikers team runs total between 161-180 @ $3 (bet refunded if team does not bat first) 

4 Units Stars team runs total between 161 and 180 @ $3.40 (bet refunded if team does not bat first) 

1 Unit Strikers high bat/bowler double of Head/Laughlin @ $15

1 Unit Stars high bat/bowler double of Pietersen/Zampa @ $20