The Brisbane Heat begin their title defence at the MCG, as the Melbourne Stars look to bounce back from an opening game defeat to the Scorchers. Both teams will be desperate to pick up their first win of the season, in what looms as a fascinating clash. Check out our full preview and betting tips below, courtesy of Jack Tobin!
Big Bash League (BBL14) Stars vs Heat Betting Tips
MCG, Wednesday 18th December, 7:15pm AEDT
Melbourne Stars
Predicted XI: Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke, Sam Harper, Marcus Stoinis, Jonathan Merlo, Beau Webster, Tom Curran, Hamish McKenzie, Adam Milne, Brody Couch, Peter Siddle
The Stars will be forced into at least one change for their first home game of the season, after Hilton Cartwright suffered a neck injury in Sunday’s loss. Fortunately, Cartwright has been cleared of serious injury, but a timeline for his return is yet to be determined. Glenn Maxwell didn’t play on Sunday as he recovers from a hamstring injury, and will miss again on Wednesday, with Jono Merlo the likely replacement for Cartwright.
The Stars never looked like a genuine chance at any stage through their defeat against the Scorchers, falling to 2/13 after the completion of the powerplay. Joe Clarke (0 off 9), Tom Rogers (14 off 15) and Sam Harper (1 off 4) looked all at sea against the Perth pace attack. Marcus Stoinis (37 off 33) and Tom Curran (37 off 19) allowed the Stars to scrape to 9/146, but it was well under par.
Outside of Tom Curran (1/25 off 4), the Stars bowling attack struggled to build pressure. Adam Milne (economy rate of 10), Peter Siddle (9.16), Brody Couch (9) and Hamish McKenzie (8.75) couldn’t contain the Scorchers batsmen.
Brisbane Heat
Predicted XI: Colin Munro, Max Bryant, Tom Alsop, Matthew Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson, Paul Walter, Jack Wildermuth, Will Prestwidge, Xavier Bartlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Mitch Swepson
Spencer Johnson is unlikely to line up for the Heat as he continues to recover from a toe, while Michael Neser will miss the first half of the season with a hamstring injury. In a positive for the Heat, unlike previous seasons, their three imports in Colin Munro, Tom Alsop and Paul Walter will be available for the entire season.
Neser and Johnson’s absence leaves a lot of pressure on Xavier Bartlett, who was the leading wicket taker in BBL13 with 20 wickets at an average of 14.70. Paul Walter was the third highest wicket taker last season (17 wickets at 17.11) and will also be crucial in the early parts of the season.
The batting line up will also be very different with Sam Billings (Thunder) and Josh Brown (Renegades) leaving during the off-season, while championship winning captain Nathan McSweeney is in the Test side. There will be plenty of responsibility on Colin Munro’s shoulders, after the New Zelander scored 224 runs in just seven games last season.
Match Prediction
This game looms as a difficult one to pick, both sides lack depth but have some stars that can single handedly win this game for their team. The Heat have won three straight games against the Stars, and have enough experience in their bowling attack with the likes of Swepson and Kuhnemann alongside Bartlett and Walter.
After what the Stars dished up in Perth on Sunday, it’s clear that their batting unit isn’t strong enough without a big score from Stoinis or Webster. Matt Renshaw and Jimmy Pierson will provide stability to the middle order to help out Colin Munro, and the Heat will just have enough to get their first win of the season.
Brisbane Heat to Win
$1.72 (1 Unit)
Prop Bet
He doesn’t get the praise that he deserves, but Colin Munro is one of the greatest imports the BBL has ever seen. The Kiwi gets runs year in year out, and has been a big game player for the Heat and Scorchers. Munro’s last four BBL seasons have yielded 224 in 7 games, 278 in 8 games, 390 in 13 games and 443 in 16 games. Munro also smashed 99 not out off 61 deliveries to guide the Heat to a massive win over the Stars last season.
Colin Munro: Heat Top Run Scorer
$3.20
