In near enough every season of the Big Bash League the Melbourne Stars have been touted as the side most likely to win the competition with the huge array of talent at their disposal but here we are entering season seven and they are yet to get their hands on the trophy. A change in captain and some key acquisitions have everyone believing this is their year but time will tell.
Stats
Last Season: 4th (Lost in semi-final)
Captain: John Hastings
Overseas Players: Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen
Key Player: Glenn Maxwell
Best Odds: 11/2 Paddy Power & Betfair
Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd
Fixtures
Wednesday December 20 – Brisbane Heat (a)
Tuesday December 26 – Perth Scorchers (a)
Tuesday January 2 – Brisbane Heat (h)
Saturday January 6 – Melbourne Renegades (h)
Tuesday January 9 – Adelaide Strikers (a)
Friday January 12 – Melbourne Renegades (a)
Tuesday January 16 – Sydney Sixers (h)
Saturday January 20 – Sydney Thunder (h)
Tuesday January 23 – Sydney Sixers (a)
Saturday January 27 – Hobart Hurricanes (h)
Preview
Players In: Ben Dunk
Players Out: David Hussey, Tom Triffitt
As ever the success or otherwise of the Melbourne Stars will be determined by the number of players that Australia call up to their ODI squad in the middle of the campaign. You would think they are likely to lose Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, James Faulkner and Adam Zampa at least which could be significant.
All things being equal the Stars match up to most sides man for man when they are at full strength and they are nicely balanced between the bat and the ball but there is always the issue that they will lose players. Peter Handscomb aside they are unlikely to get many back either.
Betting
I always find the player markets for the Melbourne Stars the hardest to bet on because we just don’t know who will come and who will go. Given the amount of talent at their disposal guessing who will play where and who will play well when is another issue we have.
With all that in mind and with value hard to spot immediately I will shy away from betting on the Melbourne Stars players originally but once the Australia ODI squad is named we might be able to get involved then.
Tips
No Bet
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