January 25: Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat in Melbourne
Our XI: Marcus Stoinis, Chris Lynn, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Cutting, Ben Laughlin, James Pattinson, Adam Zampa, Sandeep Lamichhane
Captain: Marcus Stoinis
He’s been the Stars’ batting lynchpin this season, contributing in every other game and helping them to the top of the table. He also tops the batting chart with 590 runs in 13 games, so trust him to earn those 2x points for you.
Vice-captain: Glenn Maxwell
He is among the top run-scorers of the season and has been vital to the Stars’ success. The last time these two sides met, a Maxwell special – a 39-ball 83 – helped the Stars seal a thumping win.
Hot picks
Peter Handscomb
He did not have a great start to the season but hit form with an unbeaten 65 in the Stars’ previous game against the Adelaide Strikers. Although it came in a defeat, another batsman finding form is good news for the Stars.
AB de Villiers
The Heat still have the chance to make it to the playoffs and they will be turning to the experienced de Villiers to help them out especially in a pressure situation. He’s made just 69 runs in four games, but a typical AB innings cannot be far away.
Value picks
Ben Cutting: The big-hitter is a good all-round option to have in your side. He has nine wickets and 168 runs from 12 games and can swing the game if he gets in.
Adam Zampa: It was not that impressive a return to the Stars’ line-up from the India tour for Zampa, as he went wicketless for 38 runs. But he’s someone the side has depended on to rattle their opponents in the middle overs, and he picked up three crucial wickets the last times these sides met.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo