Stars align for home final

With Brisbane Heat upsetting Melbourne Renegades last night, the Stars will win the right to host the competition decider with victory over the Scorchers.

Having stumbled at the same hurdle last season, the Stars will be hoping to square the ledger, and in the process, book a berth to the lucrative Champions League tournament later in the year.

Skipper Shane Warne will return to lead the side having missed the final home-and-away round in the KFC T20 Big Bash League through suspension, with Scott Henry, Alex Keath and Daniel Worrall also winning inclusion among four changes to the line-up.

The Stars have lost David Hussey, Clint McKay and Glenn Maxwell to Australian duties, while Clive Rose makes way through injury.

The Scorchers have been bolstered by the inclusion of Mike Hussey, who replaces Joe Mennie as the sole change from the squad that defeated Adelaide Strikers in their last start.

“A couple of young guys get their opportunity tonight in the absence of some Australian ODI call ups,” Warne said prior to the Big Semi-Final.

“For us we’re still trying to find the best combinations at the top and in our bowling attack.

“Although we’re the underdogs coming in, Perth are playing really well, we know how to beat them.

“Although it’s going to be a tough ask. Home ground, home crowd, they beat us here in the same final last year so we’re looking to get back at them this game and move onto the final.”

The Big Semi-Final between the Stars and the Scorchers will commence at 8pm AEDST tonight and will be broadcast on Fox Sports and ABC Grandstand.

Melbourne Stars: Shane Warne (c), Jackson Bird, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, Scott Henry, Brad Hodge, Alex Keath, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Rob Quiney, Cameron White, Daniel Worrall and Luke Wright.

Perth Scorchers: Simon Katich (c), Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Herschelle Gibbs, Brad Hogg, Mike Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Marcus North, Alfonso Thomas, Tom Triffitt and Adam Voges.