Big Bash Preview: Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat

The Big Bash takes a 2-day hiatus whilst cricket fans focus on the 1st Test between Australia and Sri Lanka at Brisbane.

The return match between the Melbourne Stars and the Brisbane Heat looks mouth watering on paper.

Expect this to be a high scoring affair. Both sides hold two of the strongest batting orders in the competition and on the flip side have bowling attacks that have been to the cleaners at times.

The Stars are a completely different side with the return of their ODI players.

Marcus Stoinis is in career best form with the bat since moving up to the top of the order.

His opening partner, Ben Dunk, returned to form with 77 in their easy last start victory over the Adelaide Strikers.

Combine this combination with a middle order than contains Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson and Dwayne Bravo and it’s enough to have give any opposition attack the sweats.

Their bowling attack relies heavily on wickets from overseas imports Liam Plunkett and Dwayne Bravo. ODI international leg spinner Adam Zampa has impressed throughout the tournament.

Favourites heading into the competition, the Brisbane Heat have been the biggest disappointment to date.

They need to win all of their remaining 5 games to stand any chance of sneaking into the finals.

All has seemed to hinge too deeply on their top 3 batsman. Max Bryant, Brendan McCullum and skipper Chris Lynn have been destructive with the willow at times but when these three have failed to fire a collapse has followed.

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Expecting the international experience of the Stars to be too strong here.

Tip: Melbourne Stars @1.65

Melbourne Stars Top Run Scorer: Marcus Stoinis @3.75

Brisbane Heat Top Run Scorer: Max Bryant @5.25