Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash
Hobart Hurricanes take on Adelaide Strikers in match 26 of BBL12, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Monday, January 2.
The game is being played in Hobart at the Bellerive Oval.
Fourth takes on eighth in the Big Bash table, but these two sides are separated by just two points ahead of their first match of 2023.
Strikers have lost their last three in a row, being turned over by Melbourne Stars on their most recent outing on New Year's Eve.
The key moment came via Marcus Stoinis, whose 74 off 35 balls helped steer Stars to an eight-run victory, but only after appearing to be timed out on his way to the crease.
Hurricanes may prop up the table, largely having played fewer games than any of their rivals, but their recent form is somewhat better.
They went into Christmas with victory over Melbourne Renegades before losing to Sydney Thunder by 62 runs before the turn of the year.
Thunder crashed 228 for 6 from their 20 overs and it proved too much for Hurricanes, despite the returning Matthew Wade scoring 67 from 30 deliveries.
Ben McDermott is fit again (Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)
Ben McDermott is set for his first BBL appearance since December 22 having missed the last handful of games with a hamstring problem.
Only D'Arcy Short has scored more runs for the Hurricanes in BBL history and McDermott's 1,527 have come at a better strike rate of 139.75.
The Queenslander will slot back into the top two alongside Short, leaving Strikers will a dilemma in the powerplay.
Against Stars, they deployed spin in the form of Matthew Short with the tournament's leading wicket-taker Henry Thornton and Wes Agar, who has 10 himself, to follow.
And it might be that the seam pair return in an attempt to combat an explosive top-order, which will be followed by the in-form Wade.
It might be a stop-start affair in Hobart with local forecasters predicting showers and perhaps even a thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening.
McDermott is fit and available following a hamstring injury. Wil Parker has been re-added to the 15-strong match-day squad.
Jimmy Neesham's stint has come to an end but Faheem Ashraf arrives for his spell and could make his debut at Bellerive Oval. Chris Tremain is still waiting for his first start.
Strikers are waiting on the fitness of Jake Weatherald, who missed the clash with Stars with an abdominal injury.
Hobart Hurricanes: Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Shadab Khan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D'Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Billy Stanlake, Paddy Dooley, Chris Tremain, Mac Wright, Zak Crawley (overseas replacement for Shadab Khan), Jimmy Neesham (overseas replacement)
Adelaide Strikers: Wes Agar, Cameron Boyce, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Adam Hose, Henry Hunt, Thomas Kelly, Rashid Khan, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Matt Short, Jake Weatherald, Henry Thorton, Peter Siddle, Ben Manenti, Jordan Buckingham (local replacement player)
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Hobart Hurricanes: Ben McDermott, D'Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Shadab Khan, Tim David, Faheem Ashraf, Asif Ali, Joel Paris, Nathan Ellis, Paddy Dooley, Riley Meredith
Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short, Jake Weatherald, Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, Colin de Grandhomme, Thomas Kelly, Harry Nielsen, Rashid Khan, Wes Agar, Henry Thorton, Peter Siddle
Wes Agar has 10 wickets at 12.60 (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Hurricanes start as favourites with the bookies. They are available at 4/6 while Strikers are 6/5.
Strikers produced a decent display in defeat to Stars and are the favourites to return to winning ways here.
Yes. Tickets are available on Ticketek, with general admission starting from $8.
Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.
Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia while coverage will also be available via streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.
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