Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers Big Bash Tips: 100/1 Sixers bat pick not to be missed

• Stars marginal favourites

• MCG pitch could be tricky

• Kerr no 100/1101.00 chance

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers
Saturday 6 January, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers team news

Stars are boosted by the availability of Scott Boland, released from Test duty, and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Brody Couch drops out. Sam Harper is unavailable after a concussion check so Peter Handscomb is likely to be drafted in as a late replacement to take the gloves.

Possible XI: Rogers, Lawrence, Webster, Maxwell, Stoinis, Cartwright, Handscomb, Imad, Coulter-Nile, Boland, Paris

Sixers welcome back Daniel Hughes following concussion. Their batting is becoming an issue with Moises Henriques (striking at 98) and James Vince (119) not quick enough.

Possible XI: Philippe, Vince, Patterson, Hughes, Henriques, Silk, T Curran, Abbott, Dwarshius, Murphy, Bird#

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers pitch report

In the last 21 men's T20 matches (unaffected by rain) more than 160 in the first dig has been busted just seven times. Stars were rolled for 101 versus Perth earlier this term.

In a 14-over thrash Stars chased 98 with ease against Renegades. Sixers remain tight with the ball with an economy of 7.6 and they're reliable to short Stars first-innings runs at around 163.5.

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers match odds

Stars are 1.9720/21 favourites with Sixers 2.021/1. This pits recent resurgence against Bash historic pedigree. And we wonder whether the latter is the value to come out on top.

We recognise the hosts have really hit their straps winning their last four. Sixers actually haven't won for four matches with two no results. Defeat by Heat last time puts them off the chase for a top two spot.

Their experience and nous needs to come to the fore in this contest. Stars did win the previous meeting but overseas bowlers Usama Mir and Haris Rauf were pivotal, taking three wickets each.

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers player bets

On a potentially tough surface, it could pay to look at the two No 8s. Imad Wasim for Stars looks toppy at 60/161.00 and likewise Sean Abbott at 50/151.00.

For Sixers we also have to avail ourselves of the 100/1101.00 abut Hayden Kerr. Kerr is an all-rounder and probably won't make the XI (money back if non-runner). Kerr has even opened in the past for Sixers and never batted below No 7 last term. Glenn Maxwell is 10/34.33 for top Stars bat.

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