It has been a huge weekend of cricket so far and that is set to continue on Sunday night when the Melbourne Stars play for the second consecutive day against the Brisbane Heat at the MCG from 7:15pm.
BBL11 Stars vs Heat Betting Tips
MCG, Sunday 16th January, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Melbourne Stars
Predicted XI: Glenn Maxwell, Joe Clarke, Marcus Stoinis, Joe Burns, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sam Rainbird, Brody Couch, Adam Zampa, Syed Faridoun
The Stars failed to fire with their best batting line-up of the season on Saturday against the Strikers, going down by 23 runs in a low scoring affair. Every game is a must win for the team in green but clearly the big names are not at their best after a season riddled with injuries, COVID interruptions and scheduling drama.
On paper the predicted side for Sunday looks well balanced with the return of star all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile, however I can’t help but worry that the team’s worth is less than the some of its parts at the moment.
Brisbane Heat
Predicted XI: Chris Lynn, Jimmy Peirson, Fakhar Zaman, Ben Duckett, Sam Heazlett, Max Bryant, James Bazley, Xavier Bartlett, Michael Neser, Mitch Swepson, Mark Steketee
The Heat welcome a host of talent back into their squad for the clash with the Stars. Pakistani import Fakhar Zaman finally gets another chance to make his mark on the BBL, while James Bazley, Michael Neser and Mitch Swepson are also huge inclusions. These additions will create a selection squeeze for the Heat, who have blooded a raft of players throughout this tournament. The selectors will also have to solve the headache of replacing gun spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has left the Heat to fulfill his national duties.
Sitting below the Stars in 7th, it truly is just about last chance saloon for both teams. As such I expect the Heat to produce a much-improved performance and score far more than the 120-odd they have averaged in their last few games.
Match Prediction
It is hard to know what to expect from these two sides today, the Heat will enter the contest having made wholesale changes and the Stars still need time to gel. However, predictions must be made.
I trust the Stars batting group far more than that of their Queensland opponents and the MCG home ground advantage could definitely come into play. It would be hard to imagine that all three of Maxwell, Clarke and Stoinis could fail again whereas the Heat lack match-winners as Chris Lynn’s struggles continue.
The Heat bowling attack will be strong but is down on match practice, while the Stars pack less punch but are more settled and match fit. Zampa bowls well on his home deck and Coulter-Nile provides class at both ends of the innings.
As such, I’m quietly confident that the Stars will walk away with the win here.
Same Game Multi
Hilton Cartwright has gone over 10 runs every time has batted this season. That’s right, 12/12 over 10. Especially if the Stars bat first, this seems like a no-brainer.
After his mid-season purple patch Joe Clarke has had a few down games, scoring 36 runs in three innings. Despite this, I am backing him to top double figures at the top of the order tonight.
Cartwright 10+ Runs
Clarke 10+ Runs
STA vs HEA Same Game Multi
$1.90
