The two day break in the Big Bash for Christmas is over and some normality can be resumed on Boxing Day when the tournament returns. The final side to get their season underway does so as the Melbourne Stars head to the Hobart Hurricanes.
Hobart have already played a match in the tournament which they won convincingly against the Sydney Sixers and they know a win here will put them in a very strong position even at this early stage of the competition.
Hobart Hurricanes
The win in Sydney was largely down to the blistering brutal brilliance of D’Arcy Short who surprised everyone with the clean hitting he displayed. His start was maximised by the likes of Tim Paine and Dan Christian and with the ball Shaun Tait and Hamish Kingston blew Sydney away so the Hurricanes will be delighted with that.
There were plenty of signs of progress in that win in Sydney and you have to say there might well be more to come from them with the likes of George Bailey, Kumar Sangakkara and Stuart Broad’s contributions all on the minimal side. That can only bode well for the men in purple and followers of the Cane Train.
Melbourne Stars
We don’t know quite what to expect from the Stars in terms of this season yet as this is their opening hit out but they were runners up last year and will be out to go one better this season. If they are to do that then they will need to hold their nerve when they are under assault which they will be at some point.
I thought it was interesting that the Stars made no changes to their squad for this tournament. They are hoping that familiarity and consistency in squad make up will find the extra few percent they need to get over the line but then came the injury to John Hastings which will be a blow no matter how well it is dressed up.
Team News
The Hurricanes have made one change to their squad for this match with Beau Webster replacing Sam Rainbird in the squad but don’t expect them to change their starting line up barring an injury.
Melbourne Stars will be without Kevin Pietersen for this one. He has been in the UK celebrating Christmas with his family and doesn’t make his first appearance until next week.
Betting
I can understand why there is a train of thought that Hobart are decent value in this match but I’m a little wary of the match winners that are in this Melbourne Stars side so I’m going to leave the match alone here.
The bet I like comes in the form of the sixes. There are plenty of big hitters on show in this match from D’Arcy Short to Tim Paine, Dan Christian, George Bailey, Luke Wright, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and more. This isn’t the smallest ground in Australia but it isn’t the biggest either and I think 11 sixes are well in range here.
Tips
WON – Back Over 10.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Coral
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