The MCG plays host to a Friday night BBL12 blockbuster as the Melbourne Stars host the Sydney Sixers. The Stars have fallen to the bottom of the table after an embarrassing loss in the Melbourne Derby, can they bounce back against the Sixers?
Jack Tobin is here with his comprehensive preview and tips for Friday night's action at the MCG, and for tips on every game this season, head to our BBL Tips page. And if you're having a dabble, why not bet with Dabble?
BBL12 Stars vs Sixers Preview & Betting Tips
MCG, Friday 6th January, 6:10pm (AEDT)
Melbourne Stars
Predicted XI: Joe Clarke, Thomas Rogers, Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Wood, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa’s botched attempted mankad stole all the headlines of Tuesday night’s Melbourne Derby, however the attention should be squarely on the Stars batting unit. Once again it was another underwhelming performance with the bat, as the Stars were restricted to 9/109 in pursuit of 142, which looked like it was going to be a walk in the park for the Stars.
The Stars top four all failed to reach double figures as Tom Rogers tore through the top order, as the Stars never got close. It was an incredibly frustrating night for the Stars to produce their lowest total of the season, right after their best batting performance of the season on New Year’s Eve.
The logjam of teams in the middle of the table means the Stars are only two wins away from fourth place. This game is season defining for the Stars, a win and they’re still alive, a loss and their finals hopes are all but gone. Joe Clarke has had a great season, ranking sixth in the competition leading run scorers with 232 runs. Beau Webster has occasionally chipped in, however Clarke has had next to no support from the rest of his teammates. The Stars are in desperate need for bigger contributions from Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright and Tom Rogers.
Sydney Sixers
Predicted XI: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Jordan, Stephen O'Keefe
The Sixers had a frustrating evening on Wednesday, with their fixture against the Heat finishing in a washout. The Sixers fourteen overs with the ball was a roller coaster on a tiny ground at North Sydney Oval. The Heat got off to a flying start scoring 0/41 off the first 2.4 overs, before the Sixers hit back to have the Heat 6/91 in the tenth over. Michael Nesser then went ballistic with 45 not out from 18 deliveries to take the Heat to 6/147 from thirteen overs when rain ended proceedings.
Stephen O’Keefe was outstanding on his return from injury, taking 3/26 from three overs. To go at an economy of 8.67 an over when the Heat scored at 11.30 runs per over, was a remarkable effort from the veteran. After Mujeeb (2/7) and Akeal Hosein (0/21) strangled the Stars on Tuesday, O’Keefe will have a huge role to play.
After playing at North Sydney Oval on Wednesday, The Sixers will enjoy getting to bowl at the biggest ground in the country, making restricting runs a whole lot easier for their bowlers. The Sixers bowling attack will be well suited to the MCG dimensions, and if they consistently hit hard lengths, it’s going to be tough for the Stars to put up a winning score.
Match Prediction
The Stars batting just hasn’t been good enough this season, reaching 180 only twice from their seven games this season. Not only can’t they put up big scores, but the Stars have also failed to score 136 three times. Coming up against a seasoned Sixers bowling attack, it’s difficult to see the Stars turning around their struggles with the bat.
The Sixers will be looking to get back into second place on the BBL table, against a team that they have dominated over the past three years. The Sixers have won eight in a row against the Stars, and should extend that streak against a Stars side that has lost four of their last five games this season.
Sydney Sixers
$1.65 (1.5 units)
Same Game Multi
James Vince is in red hot form at the moment, with our BBL Data Tools showing that Vince has hit the 20 run mark in his last four games, and the 15 run mark in each of his last five games. Vince has scored 158 runs at 31.6 across those five games.
Steven O’Keefe returned from injury with a bang, taking 3/26. O’Keefe’s ability to create pressure has been excellent this season, with an economy rate of 5.44. O’Keefe took 1/16 when these two sides met earlier in the season, and has taken 12 wickets in his last seven games against the Stars.
To round out the multi, we’re taking the first wicket of the first innings to be caught. This has been fruitful for punters, saluting in twelve of the last thirteen BBL12 games.
James Vince 15+ Runs
Steven O’Keefe 2+ Wickets
First Wicket Of The First Innings Caught - Yes
