The most disappointing team in Big Bash League history has to be the Melbourne Stars. Despite having top class sides with big international players throughout their ranks they have never even made the final of the competition when in the early days they were massive favourites to win each season. After a horrendous campaign last term, expectations are much lower this year which might suit them. Many changes have been made and now is the time for the Stars to finally deliver.
Stats
Last Season: 8th
Captain: Glenn Maxwell
Overseas Players: Dwayne Bravo & Sandeep Lamichhane (Liam Plunkett replacement)
Key Player: Glenn Maxwell
Best Odds: 7/1 Coral
Predicted Finishing Position: 1st
Fixtures
Friday December 21 – Sydney Thunder (a)
Monday December 24 – Hobart Hurricanes (a)
Thursday December 27 – Sydney Sixers (a)
Tuesday January 1 – Melbourne Renegades (h)
Saturday January 5 – Sydney Thunder (h)
Wednesday January 9 – Perth Scorchers (h)
Friday January 11 – Adelaide Strikers (a)
Monday January 14 – Hobart Hurricanes (h)
Saturday January 19 – Melbourne Renegades (a)
Wednesday January 23 – Adelaide Strikers (h)
Sunday January 27 – Brisbane Heat (h)
Sunday February 3 – Perth Scorchers (a)
Friday February 8 – Brisbane Heat (a)
Sunday February 10 – Sydney Sixers (h)
Squad
Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo (West Indies), Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa, Liam Plunkett (England international replacement)
Preview
Last season was the one that broke the camel’s back as far as the Melbourne Stars are concerned. They realised that something needed to change and so regular overseas players Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen have been released while Glenn Maxwell takes over the captaincy. There is a look towards bringing youngsters through with two big spinners making up the main part of the bowling attack instead of journeymen seamers.
The loss of Wright and Pietersen have left the top order looking a little light but both Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis have opened the batting for sides in the past so if one of those have a good season that area of concern will be covered. Peter Handscomb isn’t likely to be around much so the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Seb Gotch could do with good campaigns with the bat.
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Betting
Finding a bet for the Melbourne Stars is not the easiest thing to do because there is always so much coming and going within their squad and things. Bookmakers are well aware of that and as such they have installed the most likely winners as favourites for the respective markets.
There either isn’t enough value in those below the favourites in those markets or those players are unlikely to make enough of an impact to be genuine contenders so I’ll leave my only interest in the Melbourne Stars being the outright bet I have placed on them.
Tips
No Bet
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