The traditional Christmas Eve afternoon match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Melbourne Stars rounds out the pre-Christmas portion of the BBL fixture. These two teams have created a mini rivalry over the years with some off and on the field banter, but this match should bring Christmas cheer to the punters at home. We are at Blundstone Oval for this game and watch out for the earlier start time of 1530 AEDT. The forecast is ok, there is a chance of a late shower, but being a day game, this shouldn’t disrupt play.

 

Being an earlier day game, Draftstars have posted a $20,000+ prize pool along with other contests such as the mini, micro and high roller.

 

 

With the help from our BBL Data Tools, Blundstone has always being a batter’s friendly ground sitting just outside Manuka as the most fantasy conducive ground for Draftstars scoring. The smallish nature of the ground to go with a hard wicket has always meant 160+ is a par score. Stretching back to December 2020, teams that have batted first have won all five games.

The Hurricanes should be disappointed in their 1-3 start to the season, they knew their lack of bowling depth was going to hinder their attack, but they haven’t simply got any support from their current imports. Harry Brook has only made 1 and 2 after his two innings so far and Sandeep Lamichhane has only taken 2 wickets in four games. The ‘Canes will take promise from all-rounder Jordan Thompson who came on as an X-factor for Riley Meredith against the Scorchers and took 3 wickets. Meredith is slated to play a full match after his hamstring injury whilst Scott Boland is in Melbourne with the Test team.  The Hurricanes named an unchanged 16-man squad and go in as $2.10 outsiders at home.

 

 

The Stars named a 15-man squad to head to Hobart with Adam Zampa staying in Melbourne for an early Christmas knock-off. He will be back after Christmas. No real news from the Stars on who he will be replaced with, but we may see Syed Faridoun get another go or the Stars may give Clint Hinchliffe his first go for the season. The team will be delighted with the early season form of Glenn Maxwell after his first ever BBL ton against the Sixers. The Draftstars salary has certainly followed the form, but he looks like he is great touch. Outside of Maxwell the batting attack has spitted and spluttered so far with nothing from Joe Clarke, Marcus Stoinis only passing 30 once so far and Nick Larkin still noodles them around at run a ball. This sets up as an opportunity from someone outside of Maxwell to go big.

 

 

 

Looking for Draftstars scores from previous editions from the BBL? Our Free Players Logs + Ground Fantasy breakdowns are now available in Data Tools

 

Love It – Glenn Maxwell ($21,000)

We ride with the Big Show while he is still hot. Loves the ground (smacked 70 off 37 in January this year against the ‘Canes) and with Adam Zampa out, it means we could get a potential of 2+ overs against D’Arcy Short and Matthew Wade who are both left handers. When given the choice to spend up on Maxwell, Short, Stoinis and Wade, you know where the ownership will go.

 

Love It - Jordan Thompson - $9,500

Thompson talents were finally on display against the Scorchers when plucked off the bench and proceeded to take 3 wickets with no-one owing him. The aggressive all-rounder should get the call-up for a full game and show the Hobart fans his form from Yorkshire doesn’t stay in England. Price is too cheap whether he only bats or bowls regardless.

 

Don’t Love It – Riley Meredith $14,600

The ‘Canes are desperate for Meredith to get back and turn their bowling fortunes around, but I am going to stick clear of him in this game. With Maxwell in season high form and Meredith no where match fit (if you call that such a thing in T20), I am going to look to likes of Nathan Ellis or Qais Ahmad in that price range.

 

Don’t Love It – Tim David $11,100

There always seems to be some massive potential from the all-rounder but his last 6 Draftstars scores haven’t delivered. 31 / 28 / 36 / 24 / 28 / 5 are not going to win you GPP’s yet he is cheap enough to suck in 30% plus ownership. He does have a ceiling, but I won’t be banking it.

 

Who Knows – Marcus Stoinis $18,600

What we do know that 1. His salary is dropping finally and 2. He has stated he is not bowling just as of yet. But what we do now know is when is the next big innings coming from the Stoin. Going back in his previous 10 BBL matches, Stoinis hasn’t past 68 Draftstars points but did make a huge 97 off 55 in a game at this very ground in January. Easily the least owned of the big 4, are you willing to take a punt on him?

 

Suggested Draftstars Lineup   

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