As the race for the top four intensifies in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 season, fourth-placed Adelaide Strikers take on Melbourne Stars at the Adelaide Oval on Monday.
As things stand, Sydney Sixers top the BBL points table with 25 points from nine games, and the Travis Head-led side is closely followed by Sydney Thunder in second place with 23 points.
The sixth week of BBL 10 features some mouth-watering clashes, and here are the numbers that will help you ace it:
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars
Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars are separated by two points although the Strikers have played a game more than the Stars and have one more win.
Both the teams will be desperate for a win after ending on the wrong side in their last encounter. In the Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars head-to-head stats, the Strikers have won six out of the 11 encounters, so far.
| Adelaide Strikers | Metrics | Melbourne Stars |
| 11 | Matches | 11 |
| 6 | Wins | 5 |
| - | Ties/NR | - |
| 54.54 | Win Percentage | 45.46 |
In their last five completed BBL matches this season, the Adelaide Strikers have won just two while the Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars have managed a solitary win in the same number of matches.
However, the Stars have been the better starters with the bat this season, so far. While Strikers have an average score of 162 runs in their last five BBL matches when batting first, the Stars have registered an average of 176 runs.
With both the teams in inconsistent form this season, Monday's encounter promises to be an enthralling battle with the Adelaide Strikers starting as favourites.
Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes
Third-placed Perth Scorchers lock horns with fifth-placed Hobart Hurricanes at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Tuesday. Both the teams are currently separated by two points with Hurricanes having 19 points from nine games and the Scorchers have 16 from eight matches.
In the Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes head-to-head stats, the Men in orange have won seven matches while they have lost six matches against the Hurricanes.
Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes head-to-head stats
| Perth Scorchers | Metrics | Hobart Hurricanes |
| 13 | Matches | 13 |
| 7 | Wins | 6 |
| - | Ties/NR | - |
| 53.84 | Win Percentage | 46.16 |
In the last five BBL encounters, however, Scorchers have been the in-form side with four wins while the Hurricanes have managed just two wins in their last five completed BBL matches.
Riding on the winning momentum, Perth Scorchers will definitely start as the favourites against Hobart Hurricanes.
Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers
The top two teams of BBL 10 will take on each other at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday. Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder are currently separated by two points at the top of the BBL points table with 25 points and 23 points respectively.
In the Sydney derby head-to-head stats, the Sixers have the upper hand as they have won 11 of the 17 encounters played between the two teams so far.
Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head stats
| Sydney Thunder | Metrics | Sydney Sixers |
| 17 | Matches | 17 |
| 6 | Wins | 11 |
| - | Ties/NR | - |
| 35.29 | Win Percentage | 64.71 |
Interestingly, both Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder have won three of their last five completed BBL matches.
Batting first, the Sixers have an average score of 184 runs in their last five BBL matches, while the Callum Ferguson-led Thunder have posted an average of 161 runs in the same number of matches.
Sydney Sixers will start as favourites due to their superior head-to-head advantage over the Sydney Thunder.
Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.
