The 2024/25 BBL season kicks off Sunday night with a blockbuster clash between the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium from 7.15pm (AEDT). We will be previewing every game of the Big Bash League season, kicking off with the season opener below!
BBL14 Scorchers vs Stars Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Sunday 15th December, 7.15pm
Perth Scorchers
The Scorchers had a busy off season chopping and changing some of their depth players, but as is always the case with any Western Australian cricket team, their strength lies in their core of star home grown players. Hard hitting Kiwi top-order batsman Finn Allen headlines the Scorchers off-season pickups, while Englishman Laurie Evans departs for the Renegades.
The Scorchers have been one of the most dominant teams in BBL history, winning the title five times and failing to make the finals in just two of the 13 BBL seasons to date. That is largely due to their dominance at home, where they rely on their insanely deep core of seam bowlers in pace friendly conditions. That will be the same again in season 14, as Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris, Aaron Hardie and Jason Behrendorff headline the bowling unit.
Predicted XI: Finn Allen, Keaton Jennings, Aaron Hardie, Matthew Hurst, Ashton Turner, Cooper Connolly, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, AJ Tye, Lance Morris, Jason Behrendorff
Melbourne Stars
It’s been a horror run for the Stars in recent history of the BBL. They have missed the finals in four straight seasons and remain one of just two teams who are yet to house the trophy alongside the Hurricanes. The Stars were busy in the off-season, picking up a host of players including Joe Clark, Tom Curran, Jon Merlo, Ben Duckett, Peter Siddle and Adam Milne.
The Stars added all that depth without losing a lot of talent on the other end. Nick Larkin, Joe Burns and Nathan Coulter-Nile were the only departures. As usual, the Stars will rely on key Aussie matchwinners in Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Beau Webster, all of whom are set for big seasons although Maxwell will be out for the season opener.
Predicted XI: Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke, Beau Webster, Jon Merlo, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Hamish McKenzie, Mark Steketee
Match Prediction
Tough to make a prediction straight out of the blocks with no form guide to go upon, but if there is one team in BBL that you can somewhat safely do that with, its the Scorchers. Year after year they have proven they are almost impossible to beat at home, winning 57/83 games in Perth over the course of the Big Bash League. Back them to get the job done here.
Scorchers to win
$1.68 (1.5 Units)
Player Prop
Marcus Stoinis Top Stars Runscorer
Stoinis finished the three match white ball series against Pakistan in some solid form, smashing 61 off 27 balls to lead the Aussies to a win. Stoinis has played five games at Optus Stadium, scoring 192 runs at an average of 64.0.
Stoinis Top Stars Runscorer
$4.25
