Big Bash Tips Matches Five and Six: Two standout top bowler bets for Thursday and Friday fixtures

• Stars rely on Maxwell

• Hobart look strong again

• Pakistan players cleared for whole tournament 

• Ellis and Bartlett strong win rates

• Read the team guide HERE

Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes 
Thursday 18 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes Big Bash tips

Stars have a tough task in their opener against the reigning champs, Hobart Hurricanes, who looked every inch the side to beat when taking the points over Sydney Thunder. Although the match went to the final over in the chase for HH they produced a powerful performance and there was only a smidge of doubt they would not get over the line.

The hosts are going to have to rely on big names Marcus Stoinis and Gkenn Maxwell to make up the shortfall here. But how often has that been said about Stars in the last few seasons; they are an average outfit. Indeed, this term could be a real struggle for them as they lost key all-rounder Beau Webster to Hobart in the close season.

Stars are also without the injured Mark Steketee so they are short on pace resources. Hobart, meanwhile, are at full strength bar Webster who is with the Australia squad.  Sportsbook offer 4/51.80 about Hobart winning and that could be generous. 

They opened with Nikhil Chaudhary against Thunder so immediately the 11/26.50 about back-to-back top bat wins is of interest with Sportsbook. Glenn Maxwell has a 29% two-year win rate so the 16/54.20 that he top scores for Stars is fine. 

We will stick with Nathan Ellis for most Hobart wickets. He has an excellent win rate and the 16/54.20 is not short enough for a bowler who is dangerous with the new ball and at at the death. 

Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers
Friday 19 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers Big Bash tips

Scorchers are no better than 1.8810/11 to make it two wins in two after they downed Sydney Sixers in the first match of the tournament. An 11-over thrash, however, because of rain is not the best indicator of form so we wait to see how they pull up against a Heat team who almost pulled off a thrilling chase against Renegades.

Heat have been boosted by the news that Shaheen Shah Afridi will be available for the whole tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that their players in the Bash, including Babar Azam at Sixers, will not be required for the T20 series against Sri Lanka next month.

Still, they will need more from Afridi as attack leader. He was banned from bowling by umpires against Renegades after two beamers. Far from ideal from the overseas star.

There is no toss bias at The Gabba in night matches in the Big Bash but Scorchers have lost four of the their last six in such conditions at the venue. 

The top-rated wager is backing Xavier Bartlett for most Heat wickets. The pacer has a win rate of 30% on top bowler in the last two years and we would have him favourite over Afridi, who is 13/53.60. The 16/54.20 about Bartlett is a very solid price. 

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