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Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes: Big Bash Sunday preview

Melbourne Stars play host to Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG on Sunday evening with the hosts needing to win to secure a top-four spot and extend their Big Bash League season into the Finals.

There is no such pressure on the Canes, who have enjoyed a superb campaign to finish top of the ladder and set up a Qualifier at home to Sydney Sixers, with the winner of that match on Tuesday progressing straight through to the BBL Final.

The Stars appeared to be heading for another season of struggle after losing their first five matches, but since the turn of the year they have won four in a row to give themselves a chance of heading to Finals.

These two teams have met 21 times previously, with the Stars holding a 13-8 advantage in the head-to-head, while the last eight matches between these two sides have yielded fours wins apiece.

Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes

Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes betting preview

Stars' season has turned around

Having suffered five consecutive losses, the Stars began their recovery with a five-wicket win over reigning champions Brisbane Heat and backed that up with a five-wicket derby victory over the Renegades.

A 16-run success against the Sixers made it three wins in a row, before last time out the Stars bested the Gades once again, this time by 42 runs.

Glenn Maxwell contributed knocks of 58 not out and 90 in those last two victories, while skipper Marcus Stoinis led the way with 62 and 48 against the Heat and the Renegades.

Pacer Mark Steketee has also stepped up to play a massive role for the Stars, taking 3-14 against the Sixers and following that up with exceptional figures of 5-17 in the crucial second triumph over the Gades.

Steketee, 2.50 to take 2+ wickets on Sunday, could be joined by fellow seamer Tom Curran after the latter recovered from a calf injury to take the place of fellow Englishman Ben Duckett - who has departed for national team duty.

Hamish McKenzie has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to a side strain, while Blake Macdonald has replaced Brody Couch in the squad for this crucial clash.

Hurricanes have blown rivals away

The Canes have lost just once so far this season, winning seven times and seeing one game lost to the weather to wrap up top spot on the ladder ahead their trip to the MCG.

Key batter Ben McDermott is set to return to the fold after a hamstring injury, with both he and skipper Nathan Ellis having just signed contract extensions with the Hobart franchise.

English seamer Chris Jordan hopes to overcome a back problem to feature, while Cameron Gannon has been drafted in to replace Billy Stanlake, who has seen his campaign ended by a shoulder injury.

Hobart have become masters of the chase, having won their last four completed matches when batting second, with Australia white-ball specialist Tim David excelling in smacking 62 not out against Adelaide Strikers and an unbeaten 68 against Sydney Thunder.

Mitch Owen continues to get the Canes off to a strong start, having made 33, 37, 13, 24 and 44 in his last five knocks and he is 1.80 to score 20+ runs at the MCG on Sunday.

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Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes odds

Melbourne Stars - 1.89
Hobart Hurricanes -
1.93

View the full market and more odds for Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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