Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes: Stars Look to Hang in the Semifinals Race

• Hobart Hurricanes women lead the head-to-head rivalry against Melbourne Stars by 9-5.
• Hurricanes have won five of the last seven clashes between the two.
• Hobart Hurricanes have won six matches this season whereas Melbourne Stars have won only three

Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Odds

Odds taken from bet365  

Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Prediction and Pick

The head-to-head record between the two sides is tilted towards Hobart Hurricanes women, having nine out of 14 encounters. They're also in better form this season and are fighting for the top two spots on the points table. We predict Hobart Hurricanes to win this contest on Tuesday. 

Predicted XI 

Melbourne Stars: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Bess Heath, Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Kim Garth, Nicole Faltum (c & wk), Sasha Moloney, Tess Flintoff, Sophie Reid, Rhys McKenna, Sophie Day

Hobart Hurricanes: Elyse Villani (c), Lizelle Lee (wk), Mignon du Preez, Heather Graham, Nicola Carey, Ruth Johnston, Naomi Stalenberg, Hayley Jensen, Maisy Gibson, Amy Smith, Molly Strano

Melbourne Stars Look to Hang in the Semifinals Race Against an In-Form Hurricanes Side

Melbourne Stars will go up against Hobart Hurricanes in match no. 46 of the women's Big Bash League 2022. The Stars women need to win all the remaining four games to reach the semifinals while Hobart Hurricanes will be looking to strengthen their position in the top four.

Melbourne Stars have eight points to their credit, having won only three out of 10 games so far, with two ending in no results. They will be pumped after their last-ball victory over Melbourne Renegades by five wickets on Sunday. 

Sasha Moloney was magnificent with the ball, picking 4 for 15 in four overs while Annabel Sutherland bagged 3 for 37. Chasing 148, the Stars had fallen behind the rate before Sutherland played one of the best knocks in the competition. She struck an unbeaten 62 off just 29, including three sixes off the last over to snatch the victory from the jaws of defeat. 

Hobart Hurricanes sit pretty with 13 points, having won six out of 10 matches. They have won three matches on the trot and only need to win two out four to secure the semifinals spot. Their most recent victory was against Brisbane Heat by six wickets in a rain-shortened game. 

They had reduced Brisbane women to 18 for 3 but lost their way a bit, conceding 100 in 13 overs. After an early blow, Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez added 44 runs for the second wicket. Du Preez went on to score 37 off 29 to help them chase down the target. 

Team News

Melbourne Stars have three English recruits Lauren Winfield-Hill, Bess Heath and Alice Capsey at the top of the order. Capsey, the highly-rated youngster, hasn't been in the best of forms this tournament. Annabel Sutherland, on the other hand, is carrying the team in her back with her all-around skill set. Captain Nicole Faltum hasn't made much impact in the season. In the bowling department, Sutherland, Sasha Maloney and Kim Garth have done a superb job. The Stars would need more out of Capsey, Tess Flintoff and Sophie Day.  

Hobart Hurricanes have relied heavily on the all-around brilliance of Heather Graham in the ongoing WBBL season. Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee, while not as consistent, have made crucial contributions. Ellyse Villani has found form in the last few games. She batted down the order in the previous game and saw off the run-chase safely. The bowling unit has an in-form Molly Strano along with Maisy Gibson and the all-rounder's Graham and Nicola Carey. 

Key Players 

Annabel Sutherland has been outstanding for Melbourne Stars in the WBBL 2022. The all-rounder is leading the charts for the team with both bat and ball. She has smashed 248 runs at an average of 41 while striking at 123. The right arm pacer has picked 15 scalps at 7.34 rpo. Sutherland is coming off an incredible performance, bagging three wickets and smashing 62 not out in the previous game. 

Heather Graham has been the key in the Hurricane's batting unit, having scored the most 206 runs at an average of 34 while striking at an excellent 122. She scored a fantastic fifty off 34 balls versus Adelaide Strikers. Graham has also bagged eight wickets at an economy of 7.20, with best figures of 3/15.

How to Watch Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes

• Sony Sports Network/Sony LIV/FanCode (India)
• SportsMax (Caribbean)
• Fox Sports & Channel 7 (Australia)
• Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand)
• SuperSport (South Africa)
• Willow TV (USA)
• Sky Sports Cricket (United Kingdom)