Brisbane Heat will be up against the Melbourne Stars in the 23rd match of the Big Bash League at the Gabba. Brisbane Heat have had a mixed run in the competition so far as they sit fifth in the points table with two wins and three losses in five games. They defeated the Adelaide Strikers by 39 runs in their last match and will be eyeing to build some momentum with consecutive wins. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Stars have slipped a bit after a strong start to the tournament. They are seventh in the points table with two wins and three losses in five matches. Melbourne Stars are placed at the 7th spot in the Big Bash League 2021-22 points table with 2 wins and 3 losses from their 5 matches of the league. The team has 7 points. Glenn Maxwell is the top run-scorer for Melbourne Stars with 175 runs at a strike rate of 150. He has struck 15 fours and 5 sixes. Hilton Cartwright has also made 124 runs at a strike rate of 137 BL Couch has been the best bowler for Melbourne Stars and has picked up 7 wickets while bowling at an average of 20 and an economy rate of 8.23. Brisbane Heat are placed at the 5th spot in the Big Bash League 2021-22 points table with 2 wins and 3 losses from their 5 matches of the league. The team has 8 points. Sam Heazlett is the top run-scorer for Brisbane Heat with 174 runs at a strike rate of 146. He has struck 10 fours and 9 sixes. Ben Duckett has also made 138 runs at a strike rate of 139. JJ Bazley has been the best bowler for Brisbane Heat and has picked up 7 wickets while bowling at an average of 21 and an economy rate of 8.00. These two sides head into Monday’s clash with identical records – two wins and three defeats – but the Heat are two places ahead in the table in fifth after collecting more Bash Boost points then their visitors. Jimmy Pierson’s side began BBL 11 with back-to-back defeats but have beaten Melbourne Renegades (five wickets) and Adelaide Strikers (39 runs) either side of a 53-run defeat against Sydney Thunder in their past three outings. After losing to Sydney Sixers by 152 runs in their tournament opener, Melbourne Stars recorded consecutive victories over Sydney Thunder to get their campaign off to a solid start. However, in their past two outings, the star-studded Melbourne side have suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Sydney Sixers and a surprise 24-run defeat against Hobart Hurricanes. WHAT’S THE KEY MATCH-UP? Melbourne Stars will be hoping for a big performance from Andre Russell in his last appearance of the season. The West Indies international hasn’t been at his destructive best but has still scored 83 middle-order runs at a strike rate of 162.74 and picked up three wickets in his four innings to date. Brody Couch has done an admirable job in the bowling attack in his debut season, picking up seven wickets and conceding 8.23 runs per over. However, Adam Zampa returning to the bowling attack alongside the youngster, Qais Ahmad and Nathan Coulter-Nile will be a huge boost to Glenn Maxwell. Heat bowlers Mark Steketee and Matthew Kuhnemann, who each took a three-for in their most recent outing, will be eyeing up the Stars’ struggling top-order batters, in particular Joe Clarke (66 runs at 13.20), Marcus Stoinis (65 at 16.25) and Nick Larkin (81 at 27). Steketee has taken five wickets in his eight overs to date while Kuhnemann has three dismissals in six overs. With the bat, Ben Duckett comes into this clash in hot form after scoring 78 (47) against the Strikers while Sam Heazlett has three 40-plus knocks in five innings. Lower down the order, Xavier Barlett (102 runs at a strike rate of 141.66) and Steketee will threaten the Stars bowlers. The Stars have lost both of their last two matches and will be eager to return to winning ways. BRISBANE HEAT VS MELBOURNE STARS MATCH DETAILS: Match: Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars, Match 23rd, Big Bash League 2021-22 Date and Time: December 27, 2021, Monday, 3:35 PM IST Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane BRISBANE HEAT VS MELBOURNE STARS PITCH REPORT It’s a fantastic surface to bat on, with plenty of runs available for the batters. However, the seamers will also enjoy their time in the middle due to the extra pace and bounce on offer. BRISBANE HEAT VS MELBOURNE STARS WEATHER FORECAST On Monday, a cloudy day with a 6% chance of precipitation has been predicted in Brisbane. Temperature levels are expected to stay between 19 and 28 degrees Celsius. BRISBANE HEAT VS MELBOURNE STARS PROBABLE XIS BRISBANE HEAT Ben Duckett scored 78 runs off 47 deliveries, while Sam Heazlett contributed 49 runs off 30 deliveries against the Adelaide Strikers in the last match. Matthew Kuhnemann and Mark Steketee impressed with the ball and returned with three wickets each. No changes are expected in their playing X1. PROBABLE XI:

• Chris Lynn
• Max Bryant
• Ben Duckett
• Sam Heazlett
• Tom Cooper
•  Jimmy Peirson (C & WK)
• James Bazley
• Mark Steketee
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman
• Matthew Kuhnann
•  Liam Guthrie

MELBOURNE STARS Only Joe Clarke, with 50 runs, managed to fight with the bat for the Stars against the Hobart Hurricanes in the last match. Meanwhile, Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell bagged three wickets with the ball. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa is back in the squad, and he will replace Clint Hinchliffe in the playing XI. PROBABLE XI: 

• Marcus Stoinis
• Joe Clarke (WK)
• Joe Burns
• Glenn Maxwell (C)
• Andre Russell
• Hilton Cartwright
•  Beau Webster
• Nathan Coulter-Nile
• Adam Zampa
• Qais Ahmad
• Brody Couch

BRISBANE HEAT VS MELBOURNE STARS MATCH PREDICTION Brisbane Heat have won two of their last three matches and are slowly getting back into the groove. Despite having a star-studded squad, the Melbourne Stars have failed to get going, and Marcus Stonis’ form could be a cause for concern for them. Their bowlers have failed to put pressure on the opposition batting and have leaked too many runs at the death. BRISBANE HEAT VS MELBOURNE STARS HEAD-TO-HEAD OVERALL Matches – 14, Brisbane Heat – 9, Melbourne Stars – 5, N/R- 0 AT THE GABBA Matches – 6, Brisbane Heat – 4, Melbourne Stars – 2, N/R- 0 PROBABLE TOP PERFORMERS GLENN MAXWELL – MELBOURNE STARS Glenn Maxwell has been outstanding for the Stars in the ongoing edition of the BBL. He has clearly been the standout batter for his team in the championship. The veteran has notched 175 runs from five matches at an average of 35 and most importantly, a strike rate of 150.86. MITCHELL SWEPSON – BRISBANE HEAT Mitchell Swepson has played only two matches and has found his feet for the Heat in the championship. In two matches, the leg-spinner has picked up three wickets, most importantly at an economy rate of 7.25. The Stars’ batters need to play him with a lot of caution. Prediction: Brisbane Heat are expected to win this game.