The Melbourne Stars finished top of the Big Bash League ladder. But they will have to reverse a late-season slump to oust the in-form Sydney Sixers for the first spot in the BBL09 final in The Qualifier. We take a look at Friday’s (31/1/2020) BBL Big Bash 2020 match between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers and take a look at both teams odds and give our tips and value tips for the match.
When: Friday, 31st January at 7:16PM
Where: MCG
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
The 10-4 Stars’ slide began with a 21-run loss to the 9-4-1 Sixers in a 14-over-a-side fixture. Moises Henriques’ 72 off 31 balls lifted Sydney to 4/143. Marcus Stoinis’ 62 off 37 wasn’t enough for the Stars.
Since then, the Stars lost their remaining two games to the Strikers (11 runs) and Heat (71 runs). Peter Handscomb – with 65* off 39 and 27 off 18 respectively – top-scored for Melbourne in both.
The Sixers, meanwhile, finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak. They thrashed the Heat by eight wickets with Steve O’Keefe (1/20), Jackson Bird (2/21), Josh Philippe (52 off 43) and James Vince (51 off 37) starring.
They carved out a seven-wicket win in their last game against the Renegades. Tom Curran (3/27), Steve Smith (66 off 40) and the rejuvenated Philippe (61 off 42) led the way this time.
But the Stars enjoyed arguably their most memorable win of the season against the Sixers at the MCG.
Marcus Stoinis shattered all manner of BBL records with 147 not out of just 79 balls as the Stars racked up 1/219. Hilton Cartwright’s solid 59 off 40 was put in the shade by his opening partner. Moises Henriques (41 off 25) was the only Sixers batsman to get going, while Clint Hinchcliffe took 3/20 for the Stars.
The Glenn Maxwell-led Stars are 5-1 at the MCG this season – a prime reason to consider their $1.90 even-money value. But the presence of Smith is a massive bonus for the Sixers, who have replaced Curran with Sean Abbott.
The player who promises to have the biggest influence, however, is Stonis. The opener leads the BBL with 607 runs (more than 150 ahead of his nearest rival) at 60.70 and has top-scored for the Stars in six games. The hosts will be looking to ride his broad shoulders to victory.
Odds:
Tip: Melbourne Stars $1.83
Value BET: Man of the Match: Steve Smith at $10.00
Teams:
Melbourne Stars squad
Glenn Maxwell (c), Pat Brown (England – international replacement), Hilton Cartwright, Jackson Coleman, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Peter Handscomb, Clint Hinchliffe, Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Jonathan Merlo, Lance Morris, Tom O’Connell, Dale Steyn (South Africa), Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.
Sydney Sixers squad
Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Justin Avendano, Jackson Bird, Tom Curran (England), Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Fallins, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, James Vince (England).
