The Big Bash League season continues on Saturday afternoon at the Melbourne Stars take on the Sydney Thunder in the first of a BBL13 double header. Check out our preview and betting tips for the clash from Albury below!
BBL13 Stars vs Thunder Betting Tips
Albury, Saturday Dec 23rd, 3.30pm (AEDT)
Stars
The Stars have kicked off BBL13 right where they left off last season, losing their first two games in pretty embarrassing fashion to currently sit in last place on the ladder. They allowed 214/3 to the Heat before being bowled out for just 111 in the opening game of the season, and were bowled out for just 101 in their follow up against the Scorchers on Wednesday night.
The Stars were without skipper Glenn Maxwell in the loss to the Scorchers, and it’s currently unclear whether the World Cup hero will return for Saturday’s clash. Nathan Coulter-Nile also missed the game through injury, leaving the Stars extremely depleted. It’s looking likely that Maxwell will return for this clash.
Predicted XI: Sam Harper, Thomas Rogers, Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Liam Dawson, Usama Mir, Joel Paris, Haris Rauf
Thunder
The Thunder sit above the Stars on the table on net run rate alone, having also lost their first two games to the Heat and Strikers. They have been far more competitive than the Stars, going down by 20 runs in their opener against the Heat before the Strikers chased down 200 with just two balls to spare in their second game.
New recruit Cameron Bancroft has been in stellar form for the Thunder, plundering 74 off just 54 balls on Tuesday night but they will need to get more from their bowling unit if they want to be competitive in this competition moving forward.
Predicted XI: Cameron Bancroft, Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes, Oliver Davies, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Zaman Khan, Tanveer Sangha
Betting Tips
Hard to bet on the Stars to beat anyone at the moment. They just don’t have the talent at their disposal, especially with Maxwell and Coulter-Nile potentially on the sidelines. The effectiveness of Pakistani paceman Haris Rauf has faded over the last few seasons since his explosive entry into the BBL, and too much relies on too few with the bat at the moment.
Back the Thunder to record their first win of the season in Albury, which will in all likelihood, be a home game for them in terms of crowd.
Thunder to win
$1.65 (1 unit)
Same Game Multi
Cameron Bancroft has kicked off his Thunder career with scores of 25 and 74. Think he should go well against this Melbourne Stars bowling attack on a neutral pitch.
Glenn Maxwell hit out for 23 off just 14 balls in the Stars opener against the Heat. Didn’t bat extremely well but still cleared the 20 run mark. With the amount of pressure on his shoulders to score runs at the moment, I think he will ensure he gives himself a platform to build an innings here.
Cameron Bancroft 20+ Runs
Glenn Maxwell 20+ Runs
