Hobart Hurricanes will take on Melbourne Stars in the 17th match of the BBL 2023-24 on Thursday (December 28) at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Hurricanes have won one out of three games and are in sixth position in the points table. Stars have managed just one win in four matches and are in second-last place in the points tally.

Both teams have played 19 matches so far in Big Bash League. The Hurricanes have won seven games, while the Stars have been victorious in 12 matches. Both teams won one game each last season.

In their recent encounter against the Sydney Thunder, the Melbourne Stars won the toss and opted to bat. Beau Webster emerged as the lone batter for the Stars, surpassing the 30-run mark and contributing significantly to the team’s total. By the end of the 20th over, the Stars had posted a total of 172 runs.

In response, the Thunder, led by a strong start from Cameron Bancroft and Alex Hales, successfully chased down the target of 173 runs. The remaining batters played their part, and the Thunder achieved the victory in 18.2 overs with five wickets in hand. Beau Webster, who excelled with the bat for the Stars, also showcased his bowling prowess, claiming four wickets for 29 runs.

In the recent clash between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Renegades, the Hurricanes won the toss and chose to bowl. The opening duo of Joe Clarke and Quinton de Kock provided a strong start for the Renegades, accumulating 78 runs for the first wicket. However, the Renegades faced a setback, losing three additional wickets quickly, totaling just 28 runs. The partnership between Aaron Finch and Jonathan Wells revived their innings, as they added 64 runs for the fifth wicket, enabling the Renegades to post a competitive total of 183 runs for the loss of five wickets.

In the Hurricanes’ innings, Matthew Wade and Macalister Wright dominated the game with a commanding partnership of 140 runs for the second wicket. Wade’s impressive knock of 82 runs off 50 deliveries played a pivotal role as the Hurricanes secured victory in the 19th over with six wickets in hand. Wade’s outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, making the game a one-sided affair in favor of the Hobart Hurricanes.

This will be the last game of the season for Usama Mir and Haris Rauf. They both will be released by the Stars for national duties after this game.

The surface at the Bellerive Oval will likely remain balanced in this match. The average first innings score in the last five matches has been 161 runs. The team winning the toss might look to bowl.