Big Bash 2022/23 match preview: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash

What's the match?

Brisbane Heat will host Melbourne Stars in match 51 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 12.40pm local time (2.40am GMT) on Sunday, January 22.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Who's got the form?

Melbourne Stars are glued to the foot of the table and out of contention for the Big Bash playoffs. The Stars have won just three matches from 12, including one of their past six, and are on a two-match losing streak.

Brisbane Heat, by contrast, are a time on fire. After winning just two matches from their first nine, they are now unbeaten in three and riding high in fifth place. A top-two finish is out of reach but they could still finish as high as third.

When these two sides met on January 16, Brisbane Heat completed a three-wicket win off the final ball of the match thanks to an unbeaten 90 off 56 balls from Matt Renshaw.

Michael Neser has been in form with the ball for Brisbane Heat [Paul Kane/Getty Image]

What's the key match-up?

Although Renshaw stole the headlines when these two sides met in Melbourne, the outcome could have been very different without Michael Neser, who removed four of the top six on his way to figures of 4 for 25.

The right-arm pace bowler has taken eight wickets in his past three outings for the Heat and has been dynamite in the powerplay, with eight of his 18 wickets coming in the first four overs.

He is the bowler who can cause structural damage to Melbourne Stars' batting line-up and if he can remove Joe Clarke cheaply once again, it will cause serious problems. Of players to score more than 150 runs for the Stars, only Clarke is striking at more than 120.

What's the weather forecast?

Top temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius but a reasonable chance of showers through until 3pm local time.

What is the team news?

Both sides have named unchanged squads.

Mark Steketee will be pushing for selection for the Heat after missing their past four matches.

What are the squads?

Brisbane Heat: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Sam Hain, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ross Whiteley, Jack Wildermuth, Spencer Johnson, Will Prestwidge, Josh Brown

Melbourne Stars: Trent Boult, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Brody Couch, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Luke Wood, Adam Zampa, Campbell Kellaway, Tom O'Connell, Sam Elliott, Cam McClure, James Seymour (local replacement player)

*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match

Joe Clarke is the leading run-scorer for Melbourne Stars [Mark Brake/Getty Images]

What are the possible starting XIs?

Brisbane Heat: Usman Khawaja, Josh Brown, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Sam Hain, Jimmy Peirson, Michael Neser, James Bazley, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann

Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Nick Larkin, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Seymour, Clint Hinchliffe, Luke Wood, Liam Hatcher, Adam Zampa

What are the odds?

Brisbane Heat are favourites with the bookmakers, with a best price available of 8/11. Melbourne Stars are considered the outsiders, with some outlets offering 6/5.

What's the prediction?

Despite the tight finish to their previous meeting, with wins in the banks and home advantage, it's hard to see this match ending in anything other than a Brisbane Heat win.

Are tickets available?

Yes. The cheapest remaining tickets are $13.75 for children and $22 for adults via Ticketek. 

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.

Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.

Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia, while coverage will also be available via the streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game, while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.