Match: Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars
Date: 14 January, Saturday
Time: 6:15pm SGT/3:45pm IST/10:15am GMT
Venue: Western Australian Cricket Association
Competition: Big Bash League 2016/17
TV Channel: Star Cricket will provide live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live streaming: Hotstar
Overview
Perth Scorchers need a win today to make their way into the semi-final of the ongoing season of Big Bash League. Michael Killinger's unit are heading into Saturday's double-header after crushing Brisbane Heat in their previous outing on Wednesday.
The skipper struck a 54-ball 81 to take them to 156 after the Scorchers were put into bat at the Gabba. In reply, a strong Heat batting unit stumbled as they had no answers to fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson, Andrew Tye, Tim Bresnan and Jhye Richardson, who shared all the 10 wickets between them.
While their bowling attack looks settled even after the departure of England import David Willey, Scorchers would be well served if their middle-order steps up to the task. Ian Bell needs to keep scoring big runs for the team especially after they have lost Mitchell Marsh, who is with the Australian ODI team, that is taking on Pakistan.
On the other hand, Melbourne Stars are placed fourth on the table with six points from five games. With three more matches to be played, David Hussey's men are looking set for a spot in the last-four.
Kevin Pietersen and Rob Quiney have been solid performers for the Stars and the two came together again in their successful chase of 153 against Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday. Luke Wright and Peter Handscomb are also in good form for the Stars, who have lost James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa to international duty.
The hosts will look to exploit the relatively inexperienced visitors' bowling line-up at the Gabba on Saturday and a lot will depend on the Stars' big-hitters to see off the challenge from Johnson and Co.
TV Coverage
Singapore: Star Cricket
India: Star Sports
US: Willow TV
UK: Sky Sports 2
Australia: Network 10
South Africa: Supersport
Team News
Scorchers
Squad: Voges (c), S Marsh, Bancroft, Bell, Whiteman (wk), Klinger, Johnson, Agar, Richardson, Turner, Valente, Tye, Willey
Stars
Squad: Hussey (c), Pietersen, Beer, Gulbis, Harper, Quiney, Handscomb, Stoinis, Wright, Coleman, Boland, Gannon, Bowe, Hilfenhaus
