The second half of the first Big Bash League double header of the new season sees the Brisbane Heat facing the Melbourne Stars, in the opening game of the competition for the beaten finalists of last season.
The Heat take the game to the Gold Coast and they will be looking to bounce back from losing to the Sydney Thunder in their opening match. The Stars will be eyeing up a perfect start as they aim to finally end their barren run without this title.
Brisbane Heat
There were really high hopes of Brisbane Heat going into the season, and while we shouldn’t necessarily throw them under a bus, it is right to point out the concerns that they have learnt nothing, particularly when it comes to the bat. It is nothing new for an Australian side to put brawn over brains but this lot are crying out for someone to bat sensibly and hold an innings together for their big hitters to perform properly.
To be fair they look a batsman light even if they did have that player. There were signs against the Thunder that the Heat can cause some problems with the ball. They have three solid spin options and a death bowler in Ben Laughlin who should mop up the cheap wickets, but they do also look a little expensive with the new ball. It is going to remain entertaining to watch the Heat perform, but whether that translates into wins I have my doubts.
Melbourne Stars
It is one of the bigger mysteries in franchise T20 cricket how the Melbourne Stars have never won this tournament but that is the fate that has fallen upon them. They certainly haven’t lacked for the talent to win it. To be fair to them a lot of times they have dominated the regular season and then lost a host of key players to ODI duty when the business end of the season comes along. That isn’t going to happen here it would seem.
Given that, the Stars now need to show their worth, especially with the bat, where over the last season or two they have just flattered to deceive a little. This is arguably the most talented batting line up of the lot on paper. The question is whether they can be smart enough to put up the totals needed to win matches. They should win plenty more than they lose if they do bat well though because their bowling looks well stocked.
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Team News
Despite their old habits creeping in during their opening match, Darren Lehmann has picked the same squad to go and put things right in this match. It will be interesting to see if anyone steps up and bats sensibly for them.
Melbourne Stars have announced they will be without overseas player Dale Steyn so Haris Rauf, who was pottering around in club cricket in Victoria will deputise for him after getting D’Arcy Short out last week. Glenn Maxwell is fine to play.
Betting
Both these sides have played matches on the Gold Coast. Brisbane Heat played two matches last year, losing them both, while the Stars took a home game a mile away from Melbourne but they came away from it with a victory. It will be interesting to see if those matches have any significance on this meeting. Either way my bet for the game is coming on the side markets.
I like the sixes here I have to admit. There looks to be a ton of power in both bowling attacks and this venue, which hosted the athletics in the Commonwealth Games last year, so is primarily a multi-purpose arena, is pretty small, especially to the sides. There are players whose mishits will go for six here such as Tom Banton, Chris Lynn, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis and then there are plenty of other biffers around them. The sixes line here is 12.5 so unless the pitch is an absolute dog, which it shouldn’t be at this stage of proceedings, I’m expecting this to be cleared without too many troubles.
Tips
Back Over 12.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Coral
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