STA vs HEA, 44th Match Preview

Match 44 of the 2022-23 Big Bash League sees Melbourne Stars welcome Brisbane Heat to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday evening. The Stars are bottom of the BBL table with STA points from 11 games but Brisbane Heat are only one place above them with seven points from 10. The hopes of Melbourne Stars’ supporters were raised after their win over Adelaide Strikers but they soon turned to disappointment with the Melbourne derby defeat. The Stars must win this game to keep their very slight hopes alive. Brisbane Heat have left it late to string some results together to get into the play-offs. But, with their Test batters back and firing, they could do it and will fancy their chances in Melbourne.

STA vs HEA, 44th Match Details

Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat – 44th Match

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground – Melbourne

Date & Time: 16th January 2023 at 01:45 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network

STA vs HEA, 44th Match Pitch Report

This has been a good batting pitch throughout BBL12 although there have been some teams who have struggled on it. A par score will be over 160. Sunny conditions throughout the early parts of the game in Melbourne with the temperature up at 27 degrees. The humidity will be constant from start to finish.

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update

Also Read: Rahul Dravid flies to Bengaluru due to health issues

STA vs HEA, 44th Match Probable Playing XIs:

Brisbane Heat Probable Playing XIs

Josh Brown, Usman Khawaja (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Sam Hain, Jimmy Peirson (wk), James Bazley, Michael Neser, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann

Melbourne Stars Probable Playing XIs

Joe Clarke (wk), Thomas Rogers, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Nick Larkin, James Seymour, Clint Hinchcliffe, Luke Wood, Brody Couch, Liam Hatcher, Adam Zampa

Topmost Picks for STA vs HEA Dream11 Prediction, 44th Match:

Top Picks – Brisbane Heat

• Matthew Kuhnemann- the 26 year old left-arm spinner has found more joy in the last few games with the pitches turning more. He has 11 wickets across the tournament.

• Josh Brown- the right-handed 29 year old opener continues to play in a fearless manner. He scored 26 in the last game but from only 16 balls and immediately puts bowlers off their stride.

Top Picks – Melbourne Stars

• Luke Wood- the English left-arm pace bowler has picked up 17 wickets across the tournament and only two bowlers have taken more wickets.

• Joe Clarke- only Matthew Short and Chris Lynn have hit more runs that Clarke in BBL 2022-23. He still has the highest score to date in the tournament (101).

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for STA vs HEA Dream11 Team:

Jimmy Peirson, Joe Clarke, Thomas Rogers, Josh Brown, Hilton Cartwright, James Bazley, Michael Neser(VC), Beau Webster(C), Luke Wood, Matthew Kuhnemann, Liam Hatcher

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for STA vs HEA Dream11 Team:

Joe Clarke(C), Thomas Rogers, Josh Brown, Usman Khawaja, Hilton Cartwright, Marnus Labuschagne(VC), Michael Neser, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Matthew Kuhnemann, Liam Hatcher

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Beau Webster, Joe Clarke

Vice-captain – Michael Neser, Marnus Labuschagne

Wicketkeeper – Joe Clarke

STA vs HEA 44th Match Probable winners:

A look at the batting line-ups of both teams shows the big difference in quality. Joe Clarke aside, Melbourne Stars do not have the consistent run scorers to keep up with Brisbane Heat’s Test players. Although not mathematically guaranteed, a defeat for either team will probably see them eliminated from this year’s tournament so the stakes could not be higher ahead of this match. Both sides have beaten Adelaide Strikers in recent games and will carry that confidence into this clash. Considering the team combination, Brisbane Heat is expected to win this match.