New Year’s Day boasts a tasty double header in the Big Bash League, with the evening game seeing the Heat host the Stars at the Gabba from 7.15pm. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
BBL14 Heat vs Stars Betting Tips
Gabba, Wednesday 1st January, 7.15pm (AEDT)
Heat
As we predicted, the Heat were no match for the Sydney Sixers on Sunday night, going down in convincing fashion to fall to 2-2 on the season. Batting first, the Heat stumbled to 9/138 off their 20 overs, highlighted by another solid knock from Nathan McSweeney (34 off 29). Ultimately, however, they lacked one of their top four, who all got decent starts, going on and getting a big score to put any sort of scoreboard pressure on the Sixers.
In reply, the Sixers chased down the total just two wickets down and with 23 balls to spare. There wasn’t a lot to love on the bowling side, outside of Xavier Bartlett, who was impressive with the new ball once again, taking 1/21 off 3.1 overs. With Spencer Johnson returning to the line-up from injury against the Sixers, the Heat don’t have a lot of statement moves to make after the loss. Expect them to be unchanged here.
Predicted XI: Tom Banton, Jimmy Peirson, Colin Munro, Nathan McSweeney, Matt Renshaw, Max Bryant, Paul Walter, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Swepson, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann
Stars
What a season to forget its been for the Stars so far in 2024. They sit in last place on the BBL table with a dismal 0-5 record, having been competitive in a few games but at times being absolutely smashed as well. Bowling first in their last game against the Thunder, they allowed the home side to pile on 8/182 off their 20 overs, as Beau Wesbter was the pick of the bowlers with 3/42.
Despite another solid knock from English international Ben Duckett (67 off 49), the Stars were unable to make a game of it, falling 18 runs short at 8/164 off their 20 overs. With Scott Boland unavailable and international players Adam Milne and Joe Clarke’s stints already over, the Stars don’t have a lot of moves to make. However, Tom Curran could come back into the side after missing the loss to the Thunder with a calf injury.
Predicted XI: Sam Harper, Ben Duckett, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Brody Couch, Peter Siddle
Prediction
Hard to like anything the Stars are doing at the moment, HOWEVER, I am picking them to get on the board here and secure their first win of the season. I think there is a bit of fools gold surrounding this Heat team at the moment after winning the title last season and backing it up with wins in their first two games this year.
They have looked to have come off the boil in their last two games and I think there are real questions surrounding their batting lineup at the moment. Colin Munro looks a shell of the player we have seen in the past decade of the BBL while Matt Renshaw and Max Bryant can hardly be relied upon on a night to night basis. Their bowling unit is also suspect at best, and relies a lot on Xavier Bartlett taking wickets with the new ball. I think the Stars are solid value here at $2.10 with the amount of match-winners they possess.
Stars H2H
$2.10 (1.5 Units)
Player Prop
I’m predicting the Stars skipper to stand up here when they need him the most. Marcus Stoinis has a dominant record at the Gabba over the course of his T20 career, having smashed 318 runs at an average of 53.0 across 9 innings there. Back him to top score for the Stars on Wednesday night.
Stoinis Top STA Runscorer
$4.00
