The Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Stars will battle on Christmas Eve at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, with the first ball to be bowled at the early start time of 3:30pm AEDT. Plenty of time for the kids to enjoy the cricket before getting tucked into bed to welcome Santa. Let’s hope he delivers us another BBL11 winner!
Remember to check out our Cricket Tips page for regular updates throughout the Australian summer of cricket, or check out our BBL11 Data Tools page for statistical insight into the Big Bash League.
BBL11 Hurricanes vs Stars Betting Tips
Blundstone Arena, Friday 3:30pm AEDT
Hobart Hurricanes
Likely Hurricanes XI: Wade, Short, Jewell, McDermott, Brook, David, Thompson, Ellis, Rogers, Meredith, Lamichhane
The Hurricanes have had a tough start to the BBL11 season. Their draw saw them cop the Scorchers and Sixers first up - arguably the two toughest teams in the competition - with back-to-back matches against both. They only have one win to show for their efforts so far and now it doesn’t get a whole lot easier as they run into the Stars.
The Canes have also battled some issues in their squad with Scott Boland called into the Australian Test squad and Joel Paris copping an injury. The good news is that Riley Meredith got through his one-over spell last match, and should return at full force here to give them some much-needed fire power with the ball.
With the bat, the Canes middle order looks a bit wobbly with Harry Brook looking like another recruiting failure for the purple army. They need to find some support for their top order of Matthew Wade and D'Arcy Short if they are going to be a contender this season. However they have a real opportunity here against a fragile Stars bowling lineup.
Melbourne Stars
Like Stars XI: Stoinis, Clarke, Larkin, Maxwell, Cartwright, Russell, Webster, Coulter-Nile, Hinchcliffe, Ahmad, Couch
The Stars sit one spot above the Hurricanes on the BBL11 ladder with two wins and two losses from their four matches. The Stars were too good for the Thunder in their two matches, while the Sixers got the better of them twice. In their most recent match, Glenn Maxwell hit a mighty hundred, but that was virtually matched by Josh Philippe to see the team in magenta home.
Maxwell’s form masks some of the weaknesses in the Stars batting. Joe Clarke has been utterly horrible, while Marcus Stoinis has yet to really fire. After that, you’re looking to the likes of Nick Larkin or Hilton Cartwright to help put up a score.
Andre Russell brings the x-factor that the Stars needed, but he’ll need to bowl well here with Adam Zampa not making the trip to Hobart. That will put a lot of pressure on the Stars bowling. Clint Hinchcliffe may come into the side in support of Qais Ahmad and Nathan Couter-Nile. Expect Maxwell or possibly even Beau Webster to chip in with some overs.
Match Prediction
The Hurricanes look a great price here to knock over the Stars as underdogs. Meredith is a massive in while Zampa is a massive out. The Hurricanes look far stronger on paper, and if they can quell the influence of Maxwell and Russell, then they'll be in great shape. If the Canes fire with the bat, then I think they will be too strong for a Stars team that carries plenty of passengers.
Same Game Multi
For our Same Game Multi, we’ll look to the top of the order of both sides. The Hurricanes strength is their opening partnership with Wade and Short two of the best in the country. Wade is going 100 miles an hour at the moment, which is a high-risk, high-reward approach, but he’s good enough against an average attack to pull it off. Compare that to the Stars who have failed miserably at the top of the order so far with Joe Clarke unable to get anything going. Let’s back the Canes to get the better start.
We’ll combine that with Matthew Wade to hit a six. According to our BBL11 Data Tools, historically he has delivered a maximum in 58% of his BBL matches. However there are reports of a short 50m boundary towards the hill at Blundstone Arena for this match, and along with extra aggression he’s showing at the moment, we like his chances.
Similarly, we like the chances of Glenn Maxwell to clear the boundary. He’s doing so in 53% of his matches, but Maxy can target that short boundary with traditional or reverse hitting!
Hurricanes Highest Opening Partnership
Matthew Wade to hit a six
Glenn Maxwell to hit a six
