Jaw dropping sixes and quick-fire wickets? Say no more – this year’s installment of the Big Bash has more bang for your buck than ever before.
The Melbourne Stars look locked and loaded for a potential turnaround after finishing with the wooden spoon last year.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Stars in more ways than one. Signing a big name all-rounder helps, but injuries to a pair of stars has Melbourne, like the Renegades, feeling a little uneasy.
After winning only two games last year, it’s a ‘wait and see’ approach when it comes to betting on the Stars. We’ve analysed everything you need to know in our complete 2018/19 Melbourne Stars Preview below.
2018/19 Melbourne Stars Big Bash Odds
2018/19 Melbourne Stars Squad
- Adam Zampa
- Ben Dunk
- Daniel Worrall
- Dwayne Bravo
- Evan Gulbis
- Glenn Maxwell (c)
- Jackson Bird
- Jackson Coleman
- Jonathan Merlo
- Liam Bowe
- Marcus Stoinis
- Matt Parkinson
- Michael Beer
- Nic Maddinson
- Scott Boland
- Travis Dean
Past & Present
- 2017 Finish: 8th
- 2018 Predicted Finish: 7th
2017/18 Betting Statistics
- Overall Record: 2-8
- Home: 2-3
- Away: 0-5
- Favourites: 2-2
- Underdogs: 1-4
Analysis
If the Stars are to rebound from a lackluster 2017 season they’ll need to rely heavily on Dwanye Bravo. The veteran West Indies sensation is the all-rounder the Stars have been lacking, and his T20 career speaks for itself – 6,050 runs, 457 wickets.
Alongside Bravo, six-year mainstay and new skipper Glenn Maxwell returns to the side at the ripe age of 30. We all know Maxwell is capable of leading the Stars to victory, but the all-rounder will need to be at his very best if Melbourne are to overcome injuries to Nic Maddinson and Daniel Worrall – as well as Marcus Stoinis’ questionable fitness levels.
Best Bet: Stars Top Batsman – Ben Dunk @ $4.00
Maxwell might hold the keys to the Stars’ season, but the scoring starts at the top of the order, and that’s where Ben Dunk needs to shine.
The lefty managed only 115 runs in 10 innings last year after signing a lucrative deal with the Stars, but if he can learn to settle in early and save the big swings for the late overs, Dunk could easily turn into one of the best opening batsmen in the comp.
Composure at the crease from Dunk as well as Maxwell will go a long way to turning around the Stars’ misfortunes, particularly on the road. Dunk is best suited to the T20 format, and despite last year’s struggles, he’s still a classy batsman due for a breakout.