Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash
Melbourne Stars will host Brisbane Heat in match 44 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Monday, January 16.
The game will be played at the MCG in Melbourne.
Brisbane Heat are coming off a victory against Adelaide Strikers, while Stars lost their previous game against Renegades.
Both these are the bottom two teams of the points table, with Melbourne Stars at bottom on six points and Brisbane Heat seventh with seven points.
Colin Munro, the highest run-scorer for Heat this season, and Sam Billings have left for the ILT20, which has reduced their batting strength a bit. However, they still had too much for Adelaide Strikers in their previous game. James Bazley picked up three wickets, while Mitchell Swepson registered miserly figures of 1 for 21 in four overs.
Stars, on the other hand, have had very little going their way this season. Their batting lineup is highly dependent on Joe Clarke, who scored 59 in the previous game but couldn't take his team to the finish line. In the bowling department, English left-armer Luke Wood has been impressive with 17 wickets so far.
Adam Zampa's Melbourne Stars keep on losing (Getty Images)
The key match-ups for this contest will be between Heat's batting and Stars' bowling. Even though Melbourne are at the bottom of the points table, their bowling has performed well this season. Luke Wood is the fourth-highest wicket-taker, while Zampa has been economical with an economy rate of 6.93.
Brisbane Heat, on the other hand, have skipper Usman Khawaja, Josh Brown, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw and others in a stacked batting line-up.
A sunny day in Melbourne with highs of around 29 degrees Celsius at the start of play.
Marcus Stoinis has recovered from a hamstring strain and returns to Stars' squad.
Warwickshire batter Sam Hain made his Brisbane Heat debut last time out.
Melbourne Stars: Trent Boult, Joe Burns (injured), Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Campbell Kellaway, Tom O'Connell, Sam Elliott, Cam McClure, James Seymour (local replacement player)
Brisbane Heat: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Sam Billings, Max Bryant, Sam Hain, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ross Whiteley, Jack Wildermuth, Spencer Johnson, Will Prestwidge, Josh Brown
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Marnus Labuschagne is back in Brisbane Heat colours (Getty Images)
Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Nick Larkin, James Seymour, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Wood, Clint Hinchcliffe, Adam Zampa
Brisbane Heat: Josh Brown, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Sam Hain, Jimmy Peirson, James Bazley, Michael Neser, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson, Matt Kuhnemann
Melbourne Stars are underdogs with the bookmakers, with a best price available of 13/10. Perth Scorchers are favourites at 8/11.
Brisbane Heat will be confident of coming out on top against the tournament's bottom team.
Yes. Tickets are available from $5 for general admission, and can be bought via Ticketek.
Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.
Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia, while coverage will also be available via the streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game, while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.
Posted by Mintu on 21/01/2023 at 21:32
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