MATCH PREVIEW The big bash league 2021-22  13th match will be between the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers. The context will be hosted at Melbourne Cricket Grounds(MCG). The Melbourne stars were beaten by the Sydney Sixers in the first game. To get back on track, Melbourne stars have recovered and defeated Sydney sixers twice. In their last game against the Thunder, it was a complete performance from them. After electing to bowl first, the Stars did a fine job of restricting the Thunder to 151. Qais Ahmed and Brody Couch picked up two wickets apiece as the Stars picked up five wickets in total. The Stars had a shaky start to the run chase, losing Joe Clarke and Nick Larkin early in the innings. The experienced pair of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell joined hands and resurrected the innings. But Tanveer Sangha of the Thunder picked up their wickets on successive balls in the 12th over. The Thunder were hit by a Russell storm as he remained unbeaten on 43 off just 22 balls to guide his side across the line in the 18th over. The Sydney Sixers, on the other hand, got off to a brilliant start. They defeated the Stars in their opening encounter and carried the winning momentum forward by beating the Hobart Hurricanes in their next game. The Hurricanes bounced back to hand the defending champions their first loss of the competition. The Sixers bowlers were thumped all around the ground as the Hurricanes posted 213 on the board after electing to bat first. The Sixers only managed to pick up two wickets. It was a daunting task ahead of the Sixers to chase this mammoth total. Josh Philippe, opening the batting, scored 72 but lacked support from the other end as they could only manage to score 151, losing four wickets. They lost by 44 runs as the target was set at 196 in 18 overs due to rain. The last time these two sides met, the Sixers walked past the Stars. The Stars have been in good form in their last two matches and will be looking to seek revenge for their loss against the Sixers. MELBOURNE STARS VS SYDNEY SIXERS MATCH DETAILS: Match: Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers, Match 13 BBL 2022-22. Date: 15th December 2021. Time: 1:45 PM IST. Venue: MCG, Melbourne. MELBOURNE STARS VS SYDNEY SIXERS PITCH REPORT The surface at the MCG is perfectly suited for T20 cricket. It has a true bounce and is expected to assist the batters. The pacers will play crucial roles for their sides as they need to bowl a probing line up front and chip in with wickets at regular intervals to slow down the scoring rate.The team that wins the toss will look to chase on this surface. The team that bats first will aspire to close in on the 180-run mark. MELBOURNE STARS VS SYDNEY SIXERS WEATHER REPORT Overcast conditions are expected to greet the two sides at the venue. Temperatures are likely to range between 13 and 20 degrees Celsius. Occasional showers are expected on the matchday. MELBOURNE STARS VS SYDNEY SIXERS PROBABLE XIS MELBOURNE STARS

• Marcus Stoinis
• Joe Clarke (wk)
• Glenn Maxwell (c)
• Nick Larkin
• Hilton Cartwright
• Andre Russell
• Beau Webster
• Nathan Coulter-Nile
• Qais Ahmed
• Adam Zampa
• Brody Couch.

SYDNEY SIXERS

• Josh Phillippe (wk)
• James Vince
•  Moises Henriques (c)
• Daniel Hughes
• Jordan Silk
• Tom Curran
• Sean Abbot
• Daniel Christian
• Hayden Kerr
• Chris Jordan
• Ben Manenti.

MELBOURNE STARS VS SYDNEY SIXERS HEAD-TO-HEAD OVERALL: Matches – 17 Melbourne Stars – 7 Sydney Sixers – 10 N/R – 0 AT MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND: Matches – 8 Melbourne Stars – 4 Sydney Sixers – 4 N/R – 0 PROBABLE TOP PERFORMERS JOSH PHILIPPE – SYDNEY SIXERS Josh Philippe has been outstanding for the Sixers in the ongoing edition of the BBL. In three matches, the right-hander has scored 160 runs at an average of 53.33 and a strike rate of 153.84. Having already scored two half-centuries, he looked in red-hot form. The Stars can’t afford to let him settle into a rhythm. STEVE O’KEEFE – SYDNEY SIXERS Steve O’Keefe has done brilliantly for the Sixers in the ongoing edition of the BBL. In 12 overs, the left-arm spinner has picked up five wickets at an incredible economy rate of six. Having picked up a four-wicket haul, the tweaker has looked in ominous touch. The Stars need to be circumspect while facing him. MELBOURNE STARS VS SYDNEY SIXERS MATCH PREDICTION The Melbourne Stars are on a roll, having won their last two games heading into this encounter. The arrival of Andre Russell and Qais Ahmed has bolstered their side and improved its balance. The Melbourne Stars are favorites to finish on top in this encounter. The Sixers are a quality side and cannot be counted out, but they need to put up a decent bowling performance to win this game.