The regular Big Bash League season finishes with a double header of action on Saturday with the opening match coming from Melbourne as the Melbourne Stars close out their campaign against the Hobart Hurricanes.
This will be the final offering the Stars have to give in this season but the Hobart Hurricanes will be aiming to extend their campaign. A win here will see them into the semi-finals at the end of next week.
Melbourne Stars
We don’t need to continue highlighting how poor the season has been for the Melbourne Stars. They haven’t been able to get any consistency going and in the last couple of matches it has been clear to see that they have been going through the motions and waiting for their season to finally finish.
There will be a major fall out at the end of the season and a huge turnover in players I would imagine so many of the players on show for the Stars could be playing for contracts. I would think the younger players will be retained but some of the senior players who are on big money may well need to prove their worth again.
Hobart Hurricanes
The wider world had few expectations for the Hobart Hurricanes heading into the season so from that point of view they are the surprise package of the campaign. As it turns out they have arguably the two players of the tournament in D’Arcy Short and Jofra Archer so perhaps there is an argument they have underachieved so far.
We will really see what the Hurricanes are made of both in this match and if they win it over the next week. It has been a while since they have had pressure on a match at this stage of the season. So far they have handled the big matches well but there is more of a do or die nature to this one which cranks it up even more.
Team News
Melbourne Stars will be without Glenn Maxwell back for this match but Kevin Pietersen returns for the final match of his Big Bash career. Rob Quiney will be playing his last game for the Melbourne Stars too.
Hobart Hurricanes will have Alex Doolan back for this match after he missed the previous game with concussion. That is likely to see Matthew Wade return to the middle order.
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Betting
Melbourne Stars have stunk the place out this season and while they might have used the ability to play with freedom to their advantage that is negated by the fact that Glenn Maxwell, easily their best player so far this season, is missing here.
With that in mind I think the Hobart Hurricanes can win this match and win it well and secure their semi-final spot. They have a deep batting line up and their bowling attack has functioned as a unit throughout the competition. They deserve to be in the semi-final and they have enough players in form to get them there.
Tips
Back Hobart Hurricanes (-2.5wickets/6.5runs) to beat Melbourne Stars for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
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