Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars, WBBLT20, Today Match Prediction 02 November 2023

HHW vs MLSW Match Prediction & Analysis

Hobart Hurricanes will play their first home game of the season as they take on Melbourne Stars in the 20th match of the Women’s Big Bash League. 

After suffering losses in their first two matches against Perth Scorchers, the Hurricanes have bounced back and will now be eyeing a hat-trick of wins.

Melbourne Stars will also come into this match on the back of a win. Stars kicked off their WBBL campaign with a win at Sydney. But that was followed by 3 consecutive losses. 

While there is still no sign of improvement in the batting, MLS managed to defend the 154-run score in their last match, courtesy of a brilliant bowling performance.

Sophie Day was the game-changer with figures of 4 for 27 but there are others too like Alice Capsey who’s been consistent with the ball. 

While the hosts also have a variety in the bowling attack, they will be looking up to their openers who’ve looked very promising in recent outings.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

HHW

W W L L

HHW

174/3 in 20.0 8.7

WBBLT20

Hobart Hurricanes beat Sydney Thunder by 24 runs 30 Oct 2023

STW

150/6 in 20.0 7.5

ADSW

74/1 in 8.0 9.25

WBBLT20

Hobart Hurricanes beat Adelaide Strikers by 7 wickets 27 Oct 2023

HHW

76/3 in 7.0 10.86

PRSW

161/3 in 18.3 8.7

WBBLT20

Perth Scorchers beat Hobart Hurricanes by 7 wickets 25 Oct 2023

HHW

158/10 in 20.0 7.9

HHW

88/10 in 15.5 5.56

WBBLT20

Perth Scorchers beat Hobart Hurricanes by 98 runs 20 Oct 2023

PRSW

186/4 in 20.0 9.3

MLSW

W L L L W

MLSW

154/7 in 20.0 7.7

WBBLT20

Melbourne Stars beat Perth Scorchers by 8 runs 29 Oct 2023

PRSW

146/9 in 20.0 7.3

BHW

150/6 in 20.0 7.5

WBBLT20

Brisbane Heat beat Melbourne Stars by 13 runs 27 Oct 2023

MLSW

137/7 in 20.0 6.85

MLSW

133/6 in 20.0 6.65

WBBLT20

Adelaide Strikers Women won by 4 wickets 24 Oct 2023

ADSW

137/6 in 19.4 6.96

ADSW

177/3 in 20.0 8.85

WBBLT20

Adelaide Strikers beat Melbourne Stars by 148 runs 21 Oct 2023

MLSW

29/10 in 9.3 3.05

SYSW

163/9 in 20.0 8.15

WBBLT20

Melbourne Stars beat Sydney Sixers by 2 runs 19 Oct 2023

MLSW

164/8 in 20.0 8.2

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hobart Hurricanes Preview

Hobart Hurricanes Women have found their rhythm with two back-to-back wins in their last two outings. The top-order of their batting lineup has stepped up and delivered to lead HBH to a match-winning score.

Lizelle Lee and skipper Elysse Villani will be the key batters for Hobart in this match. The opening duo need to get the side off to a flying start and looking at their current form, we expect just that.

Bowling all-rounder Heather Graham also played a good finishing knock in the last outing and will be one to watch out for in the middle order. The batting lineup is quite deep with Naomi Stalenberg, Ruth Johnston, and Nicola Carey to follow.

Stalenberg scored a brilliant fifty at number 6 in a losing cause against Perth at the W.A.C.A. However, the lower order hasn’t been exposed often as the top 4 have led the scoring responsibilities.

In the bowling department, Molly Strano, Shabnim Ismail, and Amy Smith are the key players who can deliver crucial breakthroughs for the side. Bowling all-rounders Heather Graham and Nicola Carey also add variety to the bowling attack.

Overall, it is a balanced side with their key players in good touch and should pose a tough challenge to the visitors.

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted Playing XI:

Lizelle Lee (wk), Elyse Villani (c), Bryony Smith, Heather Graham, Nicola Carey, Naomi Stalenberg, Ruth Johnston, Molly Strano, Amy Smith, Shabnim Ismail, Maisy Gibson

Hobart Hurricanes Actual Playing XI:

Elyse Villani, Lizelle Lee, Naomi Stalenberg, Bryony Smith, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Amy Smith, Maisy Gibson, Molly Strano, Nicola Carey, Shabnim Ismail

Melbourne Stars Preview

After a successful start to their campaign, Melbourne Stars Women lost 3 back to back matches before they could win their second game of the season. Two of these losses came against Adelaide Strikers including one at Junction Oval in Melbourne.

Their first loss to Strikers was the biggest one where MLS were bowled out for 29 runs while chasing 178. While they bounced back in the next game, it still wasn’t enough as the Stars finished with 133 runs batting first at their home venue.

In their following game, they failed to chase down 151 runs against Brisbane Heat with Alice Capsey being the only batter in the top 4 to score in double digits.

MLS found themselves in trouble once again in their last match losing 5 for 79 runs batting first but Annabel Sutherland and Nicole Faltum struck a game-changing partnership to save the team.

Skipper Meg Lanning will be concerned about her form at the top of the order. Stars desperately need a solid start from the openers followed by a good knock from the number 3 batter Alice Capsey. 

Though there are some handy batters in the middle and lower order, the top-order must fire for Stars to reach a competitive total. Kim Garth, a key bowler for MLS is also handy with the bat. 

The middle-order batters Alice Capsey and Annabel Sutherland are also key wicket-taking bowlers in this side. There is variety in the bowling attack and the key bowlers are in good touch.

Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Sophia Dunkley, Meg Lanning (c), Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Maia Bouchier, Nicole Faltum (wk), Kim Garth, Sophie Reid, Sasha Moloney, Rhys McKenna, Sophie Day

Melbourne Stars Actual Playing XI:

Maia Bouchier, Meg Lanning, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Kim Garth, Nicole Faltum, Sophie Reid, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Day

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a good batting wicket that also offers some assistance to pacers early on in the game. The bounce is even and will allow batters to time their strokes with precision and score big. The weather will be partly cloudy with a high of 17 degrees Celsius in Hobart on the match day.

HHW vs MLSW Pitch Report

Bellerive Oval in Hobart will be the venue for this match, the first home game of Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League. The hosts have the record for the highest total on this ground and will be looking to continue their form and score big on this batting-friendly surface. We reckon a 165-170+ score will be a highly competitive 1st innings total in this match.

Toss: To Bowl

There is not a huge difference between the number of wins for the team batting first and second on this ground. However, considering the current form of both teams, it seems to be in their best interest to bowl first and chase a total.