Big Bash League 2018-19: Match 53, Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - February 8th, 2019

Perhaps the one match that holds the most importance as of now will take place at the Gabba, as the home side, Brisbane Heat, take on an aptly named Melbourne Stars side. Both teams are in the reckoning for the last semi-final spot along with the Sydney Thunder, but it could be a brief tussle if the Stars were able to get away with the win, and stride forward to an unassailable position.

With this being perhaps the last match Brendon McCullum will play in the BBL after announcing his retirement, the onus is on Chris Lynn and co to give their loyal warrior the farewell he deserves.

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Squads to choose from:

Brisbane Heat:

Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum, James Pattinson, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson

Melbourne Stars:

Michael Beer, Jackson Bird, Scott Boland, Liam Bowe, Dwayne Bravo, Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jonathan Merlo, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa, Tom O'Donnell.

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Playing XI Updates:

Brisbane Heat:

After back-to-back victories over the Perth Scorchers and the Adelaide Strikers, the Heat have finally found some momentum to work with, as Matthew Renshaw and Josh Lalor have been at the heart of the renaissance of their semi-final aspirations.

With Mujeeb unavailable for this match, early inroads are the order of the day if the Heat are to keep up with the Stars in the table.

Possible XI: Cutting, Bryant, Lynn(C), McCullum, Renshaw, Ross, Pierson(WK), Prestwidge, Lalor, Swepson and Kuhnemann.

Melbourne Stars:

Sandeep Lamichhane is back for the Stars after lighting up the BBL during the first two weeks of the season. This should see the return of Evan Gulbis to beef up the batting instead of Gotch.

Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell are in great form and will once again be key to their fortunes, although help from the other established players such as Pete Handscomb and Nic Maddinson would also be required.

Possible XI: Dunk, Stoinis, Handscomb (WK), Maxwell(C), Maddinson, Bravo, Gulbis, Zampa, Lamichhane, Bird and Worrall.

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicket-keeper: Jimmy Peirson has looked in good touch so far in the season, but his batting position has been a put-off on many occasions. This makes Peter Handscomb the ideal choice for this slot with the Gabba pitch touted to be a high-scoring one as well.

Batsmen: With a flat pitch on offer, top order batsmen are the need of the hour, which implies the selections of Max Bryant, Ben Dunk and Brendon McCullum. McCullum plays his final home game on Friday and would like to bow out in style as he did in his last Test, smashing the fastest ever Test hundred.

Chris Lynn could also slot in for either McCullum or Bryant.

All-rounders: With a number of all-rounders on offer, Bravo, Stoinis and Cutting are the ideal set of players to have in the side. All three of them bat in the top six and deliver their quota of overs with the ball. Stoinis has been the stand-out player for the Stars, with over 350 runs to his name, and will once again be crucial to their fortunes.

Bowling: Sandeep Lamichhane's return to the side makes him one of the first players to be drafted into the fantasy side. His guile and ability to out-fox batsmen is essential on a pitch such as that of the Gabba, and along with him, the in-form Josh Lalor would also be a valuable pick. The likes of Mitch Swepson and Jackson Bird are also great options to go for.

Captain: Chris Lynn and Peter Handscomb are the ideal choices for captain as both of them haven't been doing good lately, and are due for a big one. Marcus Stoinis is also another option if one wants to utilize his all-round abilities in a more extensive manner.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Peter Handscomb (WK), Ben Dunk, Brendan McCullum, Max Bryant, Ben Cutting, Marcus Stoinis, Dwayne Bravo, Sandeep Lamichhane, Jackson Bird, Josh Lalor and Mitchell Swepson. Captain: Peter Handscomb.

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Peter Handscomb (WK), Matt Renshaw, Chris Lynn, Brendan McCullum, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Jack Prestwidge, Adam Zampa, Jackson Bird, Josh Lalor and Mitchell Swepson. Captain: Chris Lynn