Dec 26: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars, Carrara

Pro Tip: In the BBL 09 matches at this venue, spinners averaged 18.16 and pacers 25.81. We'll suggest adding as many spin options in the XI as possible.

Our XI: Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Liam Hatcher, Josh Philippe, James Vince, Dan Christian, Jason Holder, Steve O'Keefe

Substitutes: Hilton Cartwright, Andre Fletcher, Ben Manenti, Ben Dwarshuis

Player availability: Jake Ball has a slim chance of being available for the Sixers but he is unlikely to get into the playing XI. Nic Maddinson will not be available for the Stars, but Adam Zampa will be back for them after getting a short break. We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss.

Captain: Glenn Maxwell
Stars captain Maxwell's scores of 46 (26 balls) and 39 (29 balls) were instrumental in his team's victories this season. He has scored more runs against the Sixers than any other team - 435 in 13 games at an average of 36.25 and a strike rate of 157.03. No one has scored more runs at this venue than Maxwell either - 205 in four games at a strike rate of 173.72.

Vice-captain: Adam Zampa
Zampa has been in splendid form in BBL 10, with combined figures of 8-0-34-2 so far. He was the best spinner last season too, with 20 wickets in 12 games at an average of 16.20.

Hot Picks
Josh Philippe: In the BBL09 final, when these two sides met, it was Philippe's 29-ball 52 which helped the Sixers to the title. He started this season with a bang, scoring a 57-ball 95, his highest T20 score against the Renegades.

Steve O'Keefe: The Sixers' most prolific spinner ever, with 54 wickets in 58 innings, is expected to play a major role on a pitch that supports spinners. In his last seven BBL appearances, O'Keefe has not gone wicketless even once and has picked up 12 wickets at an average of 13.33 and an economy of 6.66.

Marcus Stoinis: The leading run-scorer in BBL 09 with 705 runs in 17 innings at an average of 54.23, Stoinis started this season with a power-packed 37-ball 61 against the Thunder. The highest score in BBL history (147* off 79 balls) was recorded by Stoinis in BBL 09 against Sixers.

Differential Picks
Liam Hatcher: Hatcher was impressive with a 3 for 28 in his debut game against the Thunder. He followed it up with another impressive spell of 3-0-17-2 against the Perth Scorchers.

James Vince: Vince started the season with a terrific 41-ball 67. He was also the second-highest scorer for the Sixers in BBL 09 with 323 runs in 15 innings.

Alternate Scenarios

• Ben Manenti is a possible replacement for Liam Hatcher.