It’s a battle of first versus last in BBL14 Thursday night action, as the ladder-leading Sydney Sixers head to the MCG to take on the eighth placed Melbourne Stars. The Stars have some momentum thanks to back-to-back wins – can they cause a massive upset and keep their slim finals hopes alive? Jack Tobin provides a full preview, best bet, and prop bet for the match below!
BBL14 Stars vs Sixers Betting Tips
MCG, Thursday 9th April, 7:15pm AEDT
Melbourne Stars
Predicted XI: Ben Duckett, Sam Harper, Dan Lawrence, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Beau Webster, Hilton Cartwright, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, Peter Siddle
The Stars will regain Beau Webster for the remainder of the regular season in a boost to their batting stocks. The Stars finals hopes are remarkably still alive, needing to win their final three games of the season. The Stars don’t have to travel outside of Victoria which is a positive for the rest of the regular season, however they play two of the current top three sides in the Sixers and Hurricanes.
The Stars kept their season alive with a thrilling win in the Melbourne Derby, as Hilton Cartwright 24* off 12 and Glenn Maxwell 20* off 10 closed out the innings to guide the Stars to a five wicket win. Ben Duckett (67) and Marcus Stoinis (48) combined for an 83 run partnership which looked to have the result sewn up, however when they both fell in the space of three balls the Stars were in a tricky spot.
Joel Paris got the Stars off to a flying start with the new ball, finishing with figures of 2/23. Paris’ first three overs, which took place inside the first seven overs of the game, produced figures of 1/13. The Renegades poor start with that bat proved to be a massive factor in the Stars victory.
Sydney Sixers
Predicted XI: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Akeal Hosein, Todd Murphy, Jackson Bird
The Sixers are big beneficiaries of the Test summer finishing, with Sean Abbott now available to play for the Sixers. The ladder leaders will also have Steve Smith in their side for their final three games of the regular season starting from the 11th of January, in another massive boost for Sydney who should finish top of the table.
The Sixers had their last game abandoned without a ball being bowled, while their last completed game was their first loss of the season in a 50 run loss to the Hobart Hurricanes. The Sixers produced their lowest score of the season, bowled out for just 111 in pursuit of a modest target of 161. Moises Henriques (22) and Jordan Silk (20) were the only Sixers to reach 20, with five of the Sixers top seven scoring less than 12 runs.
Jackson Bird had a field day with the ball, taking 4/16 from his four overs against the Hurricanes. Ben Dwarshuis (10 wickets, ranked 5th) and Bird (7 wickets ranked 17th) have led the way with the ball for the Sixers this season, and they’ll be eager to get Sean Abbott back into their attack for the remainder of the regular season.
Match Prediction
The tables have turned slightly for both teams with the Stars unbeaten from their last two games, and the Sixers winless from their last two games. However, it’s important to look at the full body of work across the entirety of the season, as well as the fact that the Stars beat the Renegades and Heat who are two of the most inconsistent sides in the league.
The Sixers eight wicket win over the Stars on Boxing Day was a continuation of the domination they have had over Melbourne across the last five years. Since January 2020, the Sixers have won 11 of the 12 matches played between the two sides, including 5 wins in a row against the Stars at the MCG. The Sixers will get back on song and end the Stars season at the G.
Sydney Sixers to Win
$1.77 (2 Units)
Prop Bet
James Vince absolutely loves playing against the Melbourne Stars, who he scored an unbeaten century against less than two weeks ago. Vince has scored 563 runs at an average of 51.18 against the Stars, the second most runs of any player in games between the Sixers and Stars. Vince’s last four innings against the Stars have produced scores 101*, 79, 83 and 91*.
James Vince – Sixers Top Run Scorer
$3.35
