Melbourne Stars can secure home semi-final with three more wins

Melbourne Stars are halfway there to scoring a home semi-final at the MCG and they received a big boost ahead of their clash against Perth Scorchers.

Glenn Maxwell has led the Stars to six straight wins. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne Stars can rattle to the Big Bash League finals with the six consecutive wins required to score a home semi-final at the MCG, according to leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

The Stars are halfway there after cruising to three straight wins since captain Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Peter Handscomb and Zampa retur­ned from ODI duty.

They play the Scorchers at Perth Stadium on Sunday night before flying to Brisbane to face Heat on Friday and then hosting the Sydney Sixers at the MCG on Sunday.

The Stars’ hopes of securing a fourth straight win was boosted when Perth star Shaun Marsh was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The Stars (6-5) are fourth and have played the fewest games in the competition.

“We’ve got a couple of teams on our tail,” Zampa said.

“We’ve still got three games — more in hand than other teams — so we’ve got a good opportunity. I’m even thinking if we can win a couple hopefully a home semi.”

Stars paceman Jackson Coleman was named in the 13-man squad after taking a five-week break for personal rea­sons, while Stoinis flew from Canberra to Perth after missing out on Test selection.

Jackson Coleman celebrates the wicket of Daniel Hughes of the Sixers during his last Big Bash game on December 27. Picture: AAP

Maxwell has won his past six games as skipper and was praised by Handscomb as an “amazing captain”.

“His cricket brain is pheno­menal,” Handscomb said.

“He knows our gameplans and then he tells us separately what we need to do and we go out and do it.”

Cameron White’s seven straight wins as captain five years ago is the club record.

Perth won its final seven games at the WACA Ground but has struggled since crossing to Perth Stadium, going 2-5.

Handscomb batted at the new venue in December’s Test win against India and said it had a similar feel to the MCG.

The Stars are certain to reach the semi-finals with two more wins, although they could sneak in with just one.

Three wins would secure a home semi unless the Renegades upset Hobart on Thursday, which would likely see net run-rate decide which Melbourne team finishes second.