GameDay Squad AUS Cricket Game 1 Preview: The Brisbane Heat take on the Melbourne Stars in the 1st match of BBL13 in Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday 7th of December.
Here's everything you need to know ....
Predicted Teams
Brisbane Heat: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Josh Brown, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Colin Munro, 5. Sam Billings, 6. Max Bryant, 7. Paul Walter, 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Jack Wildurmuth, 10. Matthew Kuhnemann and 11. Spencer Johnson.
Melbourne Stars: 1. Thomas Rogers, 2. Sam Harper, 3. Nick Larkin, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Hilton Cartwright, 7. Liam Dawson, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Usama Mir, 10. Joel Paris and 11. Brody Couch.
Start Vs Sit
Batters - Thomas Rogers Vs Sam Billings
In BBL12 Rogers only averaged 18 runs when he wasn't playing at the MCG. The Gabba was one of the worst grounds for openers in BBL12 and they only averaged 20 runs. His form in the Marsh Cup this season hasn't been great. He is averaging 26 runs and is yet to score a fifty in his six attempts.
Billings had a couple of good performances at the Gabba in BBL12, averaging 54 runs. It sounds like he will be batting at five in the Heat lineup. Players batting at five and six at the Gabba in BBL12 averaged 29 runs. Billings is also likely to be the wicketkeeper in this match due to Pearson being selected for the PM's XI. This gives him more opportunity to score points in the field.
I only have Billings just edging out Rogers as my third batter. However, I've based my decision on the Heat batting first. If the Stars bat first, I'll be starting Rogers instead.
Start: Sam Billings
All-Rounder - Marnus Labuschagne Vs Paul Walter
Labuschange only bowled one over in BBL12 and for me this is a red flag for an all-rounder. The Heat will be without a few bowling options and he may be required to roll his arm over. Even knowing this, I don't think I'll be starting him as I beleive an all-rounder that has limited opportunities to bowl, doesn't offer enough upside to my liking.
This will be Walter's first season in the BBL and I'm expecting him to hit the ground running. He has played 112 T20s and averages 25.5 with the bat and has a strike rate of 17.2 with the ball. I'm expecting him to bowl his full complement of overs in this match and if required with the bat, I'm sure he can score a few runs.
Start: Paul Walter
Bowler - Spencer Johnson Vs Usama Mir
Even though Mir has just arrived this week, I believe he can have an immediate impact for the Stars. He has played 96 T20s and averages 12.7 with the bat and has a strike rate of 19.1 with the ball. Even though the Gabba hasn't favoured spinners historically in the BBL, I believe starting Mir is worth the risk. There doesn't seem to be many outstanding bowlers to select from in this match, going by the BBL12 stats.
Johnson had a few good performances in BBL12 but lacked consistency. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury but has been bowling at training. I think he will play but I'm not keen to start him in his first game back from injury.
Start: Usama Mir
Matchup Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Avoid the Stars middle order
The Heat batters tend to do better against spin than seam
Ground Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Avoid the opening batters of the team batting second
The Gabba pitches don't tend to offer too much assistance to spinners
Hot Take
If Munro bats at four, the Heat will take the Power Surge with him at the crease. He will then bring up his fifty during the Power Surge.
Who to play in your GDS starting XI
BAT - Colin Munro
BAT - Usman Khawaja
BAT - Sam Billings
ALL - Glenn Maxwell
ALL - Nathan Coulter-Nile
ALL - Marcus Stoinis
ALL - Paul Walter
WK - Sam Harper
BWL - Brody Couch
BWL - Xavier Bartlett
BWL - Usama Mir