Big Bash Tips Matches 11 and 12: Three strong player bets

• Bash returns after Xmas break

• Stars off to strong start

• Abbott back and ready to go bang

• Marsh may find form

• Ellis due wickets

Syndey Sixers v Melbourne Stars
Friday 26 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars Big Bash tips

These two are the surprise packages of the season so far. Sixers for losing two of their first three and Stars for winning two out of two. It's no surprise, though, that this is a choice affair.

Sixers are 2.0621/20 with Stars 1.9210/11. The price on the latter needs no second invitation with the market keen to be on a side with game changers like Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.

The bet of the game, though, is to back Sean Abbott for top Sixers bowler. Abbott is set to make his first appearance of the season having missed out on an Ashes squad place due to a hamstring injury.

Abbott has a 40% win rate in the Bash in the last two years (15 matches), and although we expect that number to come down with a greater chunk of games added this term, Sportsbook's 11/43.75 is a must bet. 

Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes
Friday 26 December, 10.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes Big Bash tips

Scorchers versus Hurricanes is a festive treat, pitting serious title challengers Perth against last year's champions. Both units have had their wings clipped after strong starts and they will look to two big-name players to find form as they settle into the campaign.

Perth have been waiting for yonks to have Mitch Marsh fit and available for a full season. He has had an inauspicious start with two failures with the bat. But could this be the time he produces?

It is the lot of an opening batter to get a sequence of low scores, particularly one which is not averse to risk. Matrsh has scores of a duck and three so suggesting runs here is going against the tide.

It's a gut feel on his quality returning. Sportsbook offer 13/53.60 about top bat. He does have a ton against Hurricanes, though, in this tournament so the feelgood vibers should be strong.

For Hurricanes we are waiting on a top bowler win for Nathan Ellis. Sportsbook go 3/14.00 about a guy who has a two-year win rate of 30%. He is in the win zone and showed decent rhythm with two wickets last time out.

Now read our dedicated Ashes section here.