Big Bash League 2019 Match 5, Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Brisbane Heat will host Melbourne Stars for Match 5 of the 2019-20 Big Bash League, at Carrara Oval. This will be the Stars’ first match in this edition, while the Heat lost in the tournament opener, against Sydney Thunder at Brisbane.

The Brisbane bowlers struggled to keep Calum Ferguson (73 in 44 balls); they ended up conceding 172/6, with only Mitchell Swepson (2-0-11-2) and Zahir Khan (4-0-27-0) going for under 8.75 an over. They then collapsed to 143, the only resistance coming from Ben Cutting (28 in 18).

Having said that, the Brisbane top five – Tom Banton, Max Bryant, Chris Lynn, Matt Renshaw, Sam Heazlett – all found the boundary at least once. They need not be overly worried about their defeat, especially in the early phase of the tournament.

The Stars boast of Ben Dunk (returning after a superb MSL that ended last week), Peter Handscomb, and Marcus Stoinis, but really, the onus will be on Glenn Maxwell to rise to the task. The leg-break duo of Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane should be useful, too.

There is little to choose between the teams. Brisbane, however, holds home advantage.

Key players

Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat): Arguably the most-feared batsman in BBL history, Lynn had perished early against the Stars while taking risks. Lynn has all the shots in the book. Expect a long, yet explosive, innings.

Adam Zampa (Melbourne Stars): The finest contemporary Australian spinner in limited-overs cricket, Zampa will have a role to play here – Lamichhane or no Lamichhane.

Likely XIs

Brisbane Heat: Tom Banton (wk), Max Bryant, Chris Lynn (c), Matt Renshaw, Sam Heazlett, Ben Cutting, Mark Steketee, Josh Lalor, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Lalor, Zahir Khan.

Melbourne Stars: Ben Dunk (wk), Peter Handscomb, Seb Gotch, Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dale Steyn, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Prediction

Brisbane Heat to win.