Melbourne outfit have superior quality

T20 Big Bash League
BT Sport 2 & Channel 5, 8am Monday

Hobart Hurricanes produced a commanding display in their opening Big Bash game, beating Sydney Sixers by 60 runs, but Melbourne Stars should pose a far tougher test.

The Stars lost to Sydney Thunder in last season’s final but they look serious contenders again this term, with English pair Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen and Australia’s Glenn Maxwell all potential match-winners.

This is the Stars’ first outing of the campaign but they made light work of the Hurricanes last season, bowling them out for 124 before unbeaten fifties from Wright and Maxwell powered them to an eight-wicket win.

The Stars are well stocked in both the pace- and spin-bowling departments and they can make a winning start to their title bid.

Big Bash results: Sixers beat Thunder by nine wickets, Heat beat Strikers by ten runs, Renegades beat Thunder by 49 runs, Hurricanes beat Sixers by 60 runs, Scorchers beat Strikers by 48 runs.

Recommendation
Melbourne Stars
3pts 8-11 Paddy Power