Melbourne Stars can put an end to Big Bash heartbreak

The Melbourne Stars have never won the Big Bash League despite always being among the favourites but this could be the right time to back them to land Australia's premier T20 competition.

The Stars, who have met with semi-final heartbreak in five of the six stagings of the Bash, have boosted their batting ranks by signing up wicketkeeper-batsman and 2016-17 leading BBL runscorer Ben Dunk from the Adelaide Strikers.

Dunk joins a squad that is already packed with power including Australia internationals Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Marcus Stoinis. Peter Handscomb may also be available for longer than expected after he was dropped from Australia's squad for the third Ashes Test.

Overseas players Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright are also back for more and the Stars can count top-class leg-spinner Adam Zampa among their bowling attack.

At 11-2 they make the most appeal in an outright market which is headed by three-time champions the Perth Scorchers.

The opening match of the tournament is an all-Sydney encounter in which the Sixers are narrow favourites against the Thunder. Sixers captain Moises Henriques is an injury doubt following a groin strain.

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Melbourne Stars to win Big Bash League
2pt 11-2 Betfair, Paddy Power