The Melbourne Stars are amazingly still looking for a first Big Bash League title. They came closer than ever last season when they finished runners up to the Sydney Thunder. The pressure is on this star studded side to go one better this season.
Stats
Last Season: Runners Up (2nd in regular season)
Captain: David Hussey
Overseas Players: Luke Wright & Kevin Pietersen
Key Player: Adam Zampa
Best Odds: 9/2 General
Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd
Fixtures
Monday December 26 – Hobart Hurricanes (a)
Sunday January 1 – Melbourne Renegades (h)
Wednesday January 4 – Sydney Thunder (a)
Saturday January 7 – Melbourne Renegades (a)
Tuesday January 10 – Adelaide Strikers (h)
Saturday January 14 – Perth Scorchers (a)
Tuesday January 17 – Brisbane Heat (h)
Saturday January 21 – Sydney Sixers (h)
Preview
Players In: None
Players Out: None
Year on year the Melbourne Stars look really good in the regular season but can’t get it done in the playoffs. International call ups are undoubtedly one of the reasons for that but Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner have been in and out of the Australian side recently so that impact might not be as strong this season.
One area the Stars will need someone to step up is with the ball as John Hastings’ injury had ruled him out of the tournament and that is a major blow. They certainly don’t need the likes of Scott Boland or Marcus Stoinis to get onto Australia’s radar.
Betting
With Kevin Pietersen missing the opening match of the season as he is celebrating Christmas in the UK with his family he might not be a good thing to be the top Stars batsman this season. Luke Wright is either hit or miss and you could probably say the same about Marcus Stoinis. David Hussey will be looking to replicate his brother Mike and win this thing but how many runs he’ll contribute to that I’m not sure.
Glenn Maxwell might get called away for Australia but that ODI series is late enough for him to have a decent impact before he goes and I just wonder if he’ll get shoved up the order this season. We’ve seen him open the batting for Australia to great effect in this format.
While we have to accept he may miss a couple of matches a couple of strong innings and a couple of cameos could be enough to cover for that. Given the amount of boundaries he hits we know he’ll score well so I like the idea of him to lead the Stars’ batting this season and I can’t resist a punt on him to be the player to hit the most sixes in the tournament too.
Tips
Back G.Maxwell Top Melbourne Stars Tournament Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 7.00 with Coral
Back him here:
Back G.Maxwell Player to hit Most 6s (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 with Bet365 (1/5 1-3)
Back him here:
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