Big Bash Tips Matches 29 and 30: Renegades can hurt Stars in chase

• Aussie Test players back in Bash

• Heat boosted by Labuschagne and Khawaja

• Bartlett a top-bowler bet

• Stars vulnerable defending at Docklands

• Renegades stunned Perth last time

Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder
Saturday 10 January, 05.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder Big Bash tips

Brisbane Heat have received a timely boost with both Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja available for the rest of the season. Heat are second-bottom and need to win at least two of their final three games to get into the play-offs.

Opener Lachlan Hearne could lose his spot to Khawaja while Labuschagne should slot in ahead of Hugh Weibgen. It is a major uplift for a weak batting unit. Colin Munro's potential return could mean more shuffling.

There is no comeback yet for Michael Neser, though, who is the key man. Neser has been Heat's talisman and will be available for their next game against Hobart on January 14.

Thunder cannot qualify for the next stage and have lost six from seven including four in a row. They have no Australia players to return. David Willey has joined from ILT20 but batting him down at No 8 makes little sense. Nic Maddinson in any Bash XI is a major red flag.

The 1.738/11 about Heat getting the win feels about right. Xavier Bartlett has been our go-to option for top Heat bowler and the 3/14.00 with Sportsbook maintains value on win rates. He has had decent success against Thunder in the past taking 11 wickets in eight before a blank on the head-to-head last time. 

Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars
Saturday 10 January, 08:15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars Big Bash tips

Neither of the Melbourne franchises are boosted by Australia returness. Stars have been left smarting a little with Scott Boland deemed too exhausted to be thrown back into the Bash having bowled more overs than any of his team-mates in the Ashes.

They could have done with a fillip after three-straight defeats clipped their wings from a high-flying start. The most recent loss came against Sixers and once again it was a failure batting first. All of their wins have come in the chase and all defeats defending.

Not that the bowlers could be blamed. Posting 128 against the Sixers was never going to be enough. Renegades will fancy their chances, then, particularly off the back of a stunning performance against Perth.

There is a sizeable toss bias for the chaser at Docklands. In the last 30 T20 matches just 37% of games have been won by the team defending. If the flip goes the way of Renegades and they bat second they should be value to make use of Stars' low confidence in posting a score. It's a choice affair currently and we wouldn't expect that to change. 

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