MORE: Live Coverage - Big Bash - Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars
What: Big Bash League
Who: Heat v Stars
When: Sunday, December 28 – 7.10pm (AEDT)
Where: The Gabba
I Can Watch It On: Channel 10
Form Guide:
Heat: L
Stars: LL
20-20 Vision:
The Heat will be without Test debutant Joe Burns but the experienced Ben Cutting is expected to return from the groin strain that ruled him out of the opening loss to the Sydney Thunder. The men from Brisbane ran into an old-fashioned ambush against the Sydney Thunder as Jacques Kallis and Mike Hussey put on a 160-run opening stand. Chasing 209 for victory, Nathan Reardon (49) and Chris Lynn (40) gave the visitors some hope before they were bowled out for 152 to suffer a 56-run loss.
The winless Stars will be without marquee recruit Kevin Pietersen for the clash. The exiled former England international has returned home to spend Christmas with his family. He'll return on New Year's Eve to commentate on the Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes clash for Channel 10. Rob Quiney is expected to bat at number three in Pietersen's absence. The Stars went through the BBL03 regular season undefeated but have opened with a one-run loss to the Strikers and a 52-run hammering by the Hurricanes.
Reason To Watch:
Cameron White top-scored with 62 off 48 last start and has been in excellent form all summer. The Stars will need more of the same from the skipper on Sunday afternoon.
Reason To Turn Away:
Freddie Flintoff was superb in the commentary box on debut for Channel 10 but his first BBL appearance on the field was a massive flop. The England legend looked rusty to say the least, returning figures of 0-25 off two overs and making a third-ball duck with the bat.
Say What:
"It was always our intention to release our players for Christmas, to allow them to spend this time with family and friends. Unfortunately the scheduling of the match in Brisbane on December 28 didn't allow Kevin enough time to get back to Australia following his family Christmas, so it was agreed months ago that he would not partake in the match against Brisbane Heat," –Stars CEO Clint Cooper on the bizarre decision to allow Pietersen to miss the game.
Final Word:
This is a tricky one. Both sides are coming off heavy last-start losses and must win this game to stay in touch with the leaders. The Stars have dropped their first two games but still look the stronger side on paper but they won't have things all their own way in Brisbane. The Stars scored a narrow win last time they visited the Gabba and we think they'll repeat the dose on Sunday night in another thriller. Stars in a close one.