We kick off the New Year with a double header of action in the Big Bash League on New Year’s Day. The packed day of cricket begins with the first Melbourne derby of the season as the Stars host the Renegades in front of what is expected to be a huge crowd at the MCG.
The Stars have scarcely been seen this season with this being just their second match of the campaign. They won their first one so another win here will see them nicely placed. The Renegades have a win and a defeat so they will be hoping to avoid unnecessary pressure by winning here.
Melbourne Stars
There is always plenty of expectancy on the Stars going into any campaign but after making the final for the first time last season you get the feeling more is expected of them this season and ever before. That is something they are going to have to deal with but having not strengthened their squad between tournaments it will be interesting to see if they can go one better than last year.
The bowling looked a little rusty in their opening match against the Hobart Hurricanes despite having the Canes in trouble early doors but they were rescued by their batting and you would think that it will be with the bat that the Stars do most of their damage this season with John Hastings being out for the season with injury.
Melbourne Renegades
It isn’t just in the green half of Melbourne where the expectations were high going into the campaign. Despite offering little in the last couple of seasons some shrewd signings gave off the impression that the Renegades mean business this time around and that certainly looked to be the case judging on their opening game win.
Since then they have gone down in a nail biting last ball finish to the Perth Scorchers but they were well on course for winning that match until a nasty injury to Dwayne Bravo put all their plans out of shape and they were forced to bowl a part time bowler in the final over. A win here would put minds at rest about their credentials.
Team News
Melbourne Stars have Kevin Pietersen available for this match after he was a delayed entrant to the tournament. He will replace Rob Quiney in the side as the hero from Hobart is being rested due to an injury concern.
Melbourne Renegades will be forced into a change with Dwayne Bravo ruled out of the Big Bash with the injury he picked up in their last match. Trent Lawford has replaced him in the squad and is likely to come in for him in the side too.
Betting
With the injury to Bravo, the Stars are shortening plenty in the lead up to this match but I’m not convinced the Bravo injury means the Renegades can’t win although admittedly I want to see how Aaron Finch’s men go without him before I get to backing them.
All the indications are that people are expecting a high scoring match here but I’m not sure that will be the case. I mentioned earlier in the week that the weather in Melbourne hasn’t been great this week and that might have affected the preparation of the pitch. Both sides have good bowling attacks who can take wickets up front and both lack genuine batting depth with bits and pieces players coming in at six for both teams.
Given the qualities of both bowling attacks and the dimensions of the ground I’m going to take the total match runs to be under 328.5 in this one.
Tips
VOID – Back Total Match Runs – Under 328.5 for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back it here:
OFFERS
BETFAIR
DOUBLE ODDS ON TOP RUNSCORER BETS IF YOUR PLAYER SCORES 100+!!
Click on the banner to bet.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
