BBL06 Thunder vs. Stars best odds, free tips & team news

THE 2016-17 T20 Big Bash League campaign has a familiar feel for Sydney Thunder.

This time, however, they are propping up the table as defending champions.

A crunching defeat in Perth on Sunday has left the Thunder with no wins from their first four outings.

The absence of Usman Khawaja – far and away the club’s best bat in BBL05 – and the retirement of Mike Hussey have hurt a great deal.

They are the only side yet to reach 160 in an innings this season.

Eoin Morgan has looked good without conjuring a really big score, but the likes of Shane Watson, Andre Russell, Kurtis Patterson and Ben Rohrer have failed to fire.

Pat Cummins is a talented hitter, but it speaks volumes that the number eight is the club’s top scorer at this stage of the season.

Melbourne Stars will look to attack that vulnerable top order when they travel to Spotless on Wednesday.

David Hussey and company suffered their first defeat of BBL06 on New Year’s Day in front of more than 70,000 fans at the MCG.

Loose hitting, poor running and an inability to deal with Brad Hogg saw them fall eight runs shy of a rain-adjusted target of 159 – even after Renegades quick Chris Tremain dished up four wides and a free hit in a single over.

Glenn Maxwell wasted his chance at the top of the order, losing his stumps in the first over after swinging all around an unassuming delivery from Tom Cooper.

If Rob Quiney is deemed fit, expect him to reclaim his opening spot alongside the ever-consistent Luke Wright.

The Stars will also want more out of their big quicks, Scott Boland and Ben Hilfenhaus, who each went at exactly 11 runs an over.

James Faulkner betting specials

‘The Finisher’ didn’t quite get the Stars home in the derby, but he was probably the pick of the losing XI nonetheless.

Faulkner conceded only 19 runs from his four overs on Sunday and snared the crucial wicket of Aaron Finch.

It was a vast improvement on his first-up effort down in Hobart: 24 runs and no wickets from two overs.

He also showed decent touch with the bat before holing out on 25.

The Tasmanian allrounder is that guy who tends to step up when the top order and the front-line bowlers stumble.

Bat or ball, he offers good mid-range value for Big Bash punters.

Man of the match – $15 at CrownBet

Top Stars runscorer – $15 at CrownBet

To hit the most sixes – $15 at Bet365

To score 50 – $11 at CrownBet

Top Stars wicket-taker – $4 at Bet365

Most wickets vs. Boland and Russell – $2.70 at CrownBet

Thunder vs. Stars BBL match tips

It’s hard to see anything but a Stars win here.

The Thunder aren’t making enough runs and look a little light on genuine top-shelf quality.

They will need much more out of Watson and Russell, who have contributed next to nothing with the bat so far.

The Melbourne camp will be eager to bounce back from what was an altogether avoidable defeat in the derby.

They have the talent and the experience to go far in the comp, and they will want to get the most out of Faulkner, Zampa, et al before the Australian national selectors come calling.

Match result – Melbourne Stars to win ($1.57 at Bet365)

Highest opening partnership – Melbourne Stars ($1.76 at Sportsbet)

Highest first six overs – Melbourne Stars ($1.72 at Bet365)