The traditional New Year’s Eve clash at Adelaide Oval is always something I look forward to every year, as the Adelaide Strikers will host the in-form Melbourne Stars, who are looking to make it three on the trot.
If you asked me last week who I’d be taking in this one, you’d hear me scream the Adelaide Strikers off the top of my lungs, but now, I’m leaning towards the Stars.
Beau Webster has been in consistent form for the stars, whether it’s with the ball or the bat, he’s always playing a role of some kind in every game he plays.
The 30-year-old has scored 98 runs in his three innings at an average of 32 along with four wickets with the ball, the all-rounder is looking to wrap up 2023 with a monster performance.
Joel Paris has shown Australia that even with his injury setbacks, he’s still a top-quality left-arm quick that’s an asset to any team he plays for.
Paris, who’s been a journeyman in the comp starting with the Scorchers, to the Canes and now to the Stars, the quality bowler brings championship experience to a side that’s fallen agonisingly short on multiple occasions.
For the Strikers, I can’t go past Matt Short on a shorter field than most grounds.
It’s not just because of his great name, it’s also due to his great form over the past 12 months.
Some of the many scores he’s had over the past 12 months include an 82 and a 55 in the opening two games of the big bash, 66 against South Africa and 73 in the Hundred, this is a batsman who’s seeing them like beach balls.
For the second time this season, I’ll be taking Cameron Boyce to star for the Strikers once again.
By far the most underrated spin bowler in the competition, he’s one of a kind in franchise cricket that any team would be lucky to have.
A respective economy rate like 7.53 shows that he can put plenty of pressure on the batsmen to play an unusual shot and snag a wicket or two.
Here are my suggested selections for tonight’s clash to send 2023 off with a bang!
Same Game Multi
- Melbourne Stars to win
- Webster 20+ Runs
- Matt Short 20+
- Paris 1+ Wicket
- Boyce 1+ Wicket