The Big Bash League continues on Sunday with one of the bigger matches in the tournament as the former champions Sydney Sixers host the side who are perennial underachievers in the Melbourne Stars.
Sydney go into the contest sitting on top of the pile while the Stars are looking for their first win in the tournament so the two have had very contrasting fortunes thus far in the competition.
The Sixers were well beaten in their opening match against their city rivals the Thunder but they’ve bounced back strongly to demolish the Hobart Hurricanes and then they chased down a decent looking total against the Melbourne Renegades just prior to the Christmas break.
Michael Lumb found form against the Renegades last time out which will be a boost to everyone connected with the Sixers because they don’t have the longest batting line up. On a wicket known to turn it remains to be seen how much they will miss Nathan Lyon in this game.
The Stars were given a right good going over by the Adelaide Strikers in their first game and then went down in a narrow one to the Sydney Thunder last time out but they’ve had a decent enough break since then to regroup and from their point of view at least come back firing.
Kevin Pietersen was the main stay of their batting that night but he won’t be here because he remains in the UK for Christmas so Rob Quiney or Tim Triffitt will replace him. KPs absence puts the pressure on the likes of Glenn Maxwell, David Hussey and James Faulkner to stand up and deliver with the bat.
The last time these two met it was an absolute belter as the Stars won in a Super Over and it might just be that this one is as tight too. If the Stars had Kevin Pietersen they would look a fantastic bet as there is no doubt in my mind they are better with the ball and they would have had a longer batting line up.
As it is they still don’t lose anything in batting depth to the Sixers but they have much more power however it is with the ball that I think this match will be won and that is why I want to be with the Stars here.
Melbourne could go into this match with a three pronged spin attack which looks perfect for the SCG but whoever bowls for them I can’t believe they will bowl the dross that the other Melbourne side coughed up against the Sixers so I’m all for the Stars to get off the mark for the season here.
Back Melbourne Stars to beat Sydney Sixers for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with Stan James
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