The Big Bash League season continues on Saturday with a double header from 3.30pm. In the 2nd game of the day, the Adelaide Strikers will take on the Melbourne Stars from Adelaide Oval at 7.00pm. As always, check out our preview and BBL betting tips for the clash below.
BBL12 Strikers vs Stars Betting Tips
Adelaide Oval, Saturday 31st December, 7.00pm (AEDT)
Adelaide Strikers
The Strikers currently sit in 2nd place on the BBL table with a 3-2 record through their opening five games. They have lost their last two games in a row to the Heat and Scorchers and will be desperate to bounce back with a win here.
Predicted XI: Matt Short, Henry Hunt, Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, Colin de Grandhomme, Thomas Kelly, Benjamin Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Rashid Khan, Henry Thornton, Peter Siddle
It’s clear now after their last two losses that the Strikers are lacking some star power in their batting line-up. Strong bowling performances plastered over the cracks in their opening games, but after putting up just 133 in their most recent clash against the Scorchers, it’s evident that the Strikers will need more out of their veterans in Matt Short and Chris Lynn.
Melbourne Stars
It’s been a horror season so far for the Stars, who were dealt a massive blow in the pre-season with the news that skipper Glenn Maxwell would miss the entire campaign through injury. They are 1-4 through their opening five games, but have had an incredibly tough run to date, with four of their games coming against title contenders in the Hurricanes, Scorchers and Sixers.
Predicted XI: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Beau Webster, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Wood, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa
This line-up was struggling for depth earlier in the season with Marcus Stoinis a game through illness, but despite the glaring absence of Maxwell and their poor form so far, I think this team is put together quite well. Joe Clark is in brilliant form at the top of the order, leading the league in runs and they have proven BBL stars in Stoinis, Webster and Cartwright occupying spots in the top six. They also have solid bowling depth, with Boult, Zampa and Coulter-Nile all top line bowling options while Webster being able to bowl spin or medium pace has been a revelation this season.
Match Prediction
I love the value of the Stars here. Outside of their two games against the best team in the competition in the Scorchers, they have been extremely competitive in all three of their games, and that’s with Marcus Stoinis scoring just 14 runs in four innings. I think all it will take is a big innings from the 8th highest runscorer in BBL history for the Stars to show their potential here. Back them to bounce back and earn their 2nd win of the season as underdogs.
Melbourne Stars to win
$2.20
Same Game Multi
Building the same game multi around a solid Stars performance here. Really like the look of Beau Webster in his new position at No.3. I think he’s one of the more underrated T20 players in Australia and has been for a number of years. Averaging 37.25 this season.
Taking both Trent Boult and Adam Zampa to claim 1+ wickets here as well. The two have combined for nine games this season and taken 10 wickets between them.
Beau Webster 20+ Runs
Trent Boult 1+ Wicket
Adam Zampa 1+ Wicket
Strikers vs Stars Same Game Multi
$2.56
