Brisbane Heat's aim for a perfect start in title defense
| Date | December 18, 2024 |
| Time | 1:45 PM IST |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Format | T20 |
| Series | Big Bash League 2024-25 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Marcus Stoinis has odds of 3.15 to be Melbourne Stars' best batsman
- Colin Munro has odds of 2.80 to be Brisbane Heat' best batsman
- Adam Milne has odds of 3.95 to be Melbourne Stars' best bowler
- Spencer Johnson has odds of 3.00 to be Brisbane Heat' best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
We are in the 4th game of the Big Bash League 2024-25. The Melbourne Stars will face the heat as they take on the defending champions, the Brisbane Heat. It was a poor start to the campaign for the Melbourne Stars in their opening game, where they lost to the Perth Scorchers in a one-sided game. They will start with lower odds and must punch above their weight to win this game. Brisbane Heat will start the tournament confidently and look for a strong show from their players. It is the early phase of the tournament, and we expect to see a close contest as the Melbourne Stars fight hard to put their campaign back on track.
Melbourne Stars Preview
Marcus Stoinis' team struggled in the first game against the Perth Scorchers. Their batsmen struggled with the strike rate, and the bowlers looked rusty as the side went down by 6 wickets. Their poor record against the Brisbane Heat puts them behind on cricket betting apps. Stoinis would look to get the best performance out of players in this contest.
Joe Clarke and Thomas Rogers must deliver a strong in this contest as their failure in the last game cost the team. Stoinis did well in the last game and will look to anchor the innings in the middle order with Sam Harper and Hilton Cartwright. Tom Curran is a good hitter, and he will look to add quick runs in the lower middle order with Beau Webster.
The bowling attack struggled in the last game, and the team expects a good show with the new ball from Adam Milne and Peter Siddle. The Brisbane Heat have a strong batting lineup, and the team needs good spells from Tom Curran and Brody Couch in the middle overs. Stoinis, Hamish McKenzie, and Webster add to the team's bowling depth.
Expected Starting XI for Melbourne Stars
Marcus Stoinis (c), Sam Harper (wk), Thomas Fraser Rogers, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Beau Webster, Hamish McKenzie, Tom Curran, Adam Milne, Peter Siddle, Brody Couch
Brisbane Heat Preview
Colin Munro's team will look to start from where they had left last season. It was a clinical show from them in the league stages, where they topped the points table. They dominated in the final against the Sydney Sixers, winning the game by 54 runs. The side will start favourites on cricket betting sites, and Munro would like his players to stick to their basics in this game.
Tom Alsop's entry strengthens the batting for the team, and the side expects him to deliver a good start with Jimmy Peirson. The middle order had done well last season, and Nathan McSweeney will look to anchor the innings in the middle order with Matt Renshaw and Colin Munro. Xavier Bartlett is a good hitter and strengthens the batting in the lower middle order with Jack Wildermuth.
Mitchell Swepson and Spencer Johnson form a strong new-ball pair, and the team expects early wickets to trouble the Melbourne Stars. Xavier Bartlett was the best bowler last season, and he will look to do well in the middle overs with Matthew Kuhnemann. Jack Wildermuth and Nathan McSweeney add depth to the attack, making it strong.
Expected Starting XI for Brisbane Heat
Colin Munro (c), Tom Alsop, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Xavier Bartlett, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Kuhnemann, Jack Wildermuth, Spencer Johnson, Nathan McSweeney
TOSS: To Bowl First
The batting conditions will be challenging to start with. The conditions will get better as the game progresses. The side chasing the score will have an advantage and can pace their innings. The team winning the toss would like to bowl first in the game.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Melbourne will have partly cloudy skies. The wicket will be slow, and batsmen will have to be careful. Batsmen must get their eyes set to do well at this venue. The side batting first will need 165 runs on the board to feel safe.
OUR PREDICTION
The Melbourne Stars looked sloppy in the last game, and the side will be under pressure. Their record against the Brisbane Heat doesn't inspire confidence either, as they have lost the last three games between the two teams. The Brisbane Heat have a strong batting lineup and a bowling attack that can trouble any opposition. Going by the record, Brisbane Heat has an edge in this game.
Our Prediction is for Brisbane Heat to win