BBL 2023-24  | HEA vs STA, Match 1 - Cricket Fantasy Guide

image-lpu1ihk2Josh Brown might turn out to be a great pick for this match (Source: x.com)

Brisbane Heat (HEA) & Melbourne Stars (STA) will be against each other in the first match of the Big Bash League 2023. The game will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane at 1:45 PM IST on 7th December 2023. It's the first game of the season and there are plenty of quality picks in fantasy cricket for this match. This fantasy guide will help you to pick top players for this game considering the pitch report, differential picks, fantasy tips to help you excel in fantasy cricket. 

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Pitch Report

The pitch at the Gabba is a good one for batting. The ball will come onto the bat nicely as there will be good bounce in the pitch and the batters can play their shots trusting the wicket. There will be some movement for the pacers with the new ball and the spinners will get some help as well. The big boundaries will keep the spinners in play. The average first innings score here is 176 runs. Teams may prefer chasing if they win the toss. 

Fantasy Value from Pitch Report

As it's the first game of the season we don't exactly know how the pitch will play. In this case, back more bowlers and all-rounders as they will have more chances of performing compared to the batters. 

  • Pick bowlers who will bowl in the death overs in the first innings. 
  • Spinners from the second innings will be important as well. 
  • Hit the deck bowlers will be a must. 
  • Xavier Bartlett, Olly Stone, Brody Couch will be top differential picks for this match. 


HEA vs STA, Match 1: Differential Picks

Paul Walter (HEA)

  • Paul Walter will be an excellent differential pick for this game.
  • He will bowl his full quota & is capable with the bat as well. 
  • Walter may bowl in the death overs and he can score some useful runs in this game. 

Josh Brown (HEA)

  • Josh Brown is a very hard hitting opening batter and he can score big on his day. 
  • He will attack from the first ball and can fetch plenty of points when on song.
  • Stars lack a good new ball bowler which increases Brown's chances of doing well in this game. He was in good form in the practice games ahead of the tournament. 

Xavier Bartlett (HEA)

  • Xavier Bartlett is another excellent differential pick for this match.
  • He will bowl with the new ball and then towards the end of the innings. 
  • Bartlett is handy with the bat as well. He will be an excellent pick if Brisbane Heat bowlers first. 

Usama Mir (STA)

  • Usama Mir will be the lead spinner for Melbourne Stars. 
  • He is a wicket-taker and is capable with the bat as well. 
  • Mir will bowl his full quota and can help you win one sided in this game. 

Olly Stone (STA)

  • Olly Stone will play this game as Haris Rauf's replacement. 
  • Stone has excellent pace and he can trouble the batters in this game with his pace and bounce.
  • Stone will bowl the key overs in this game. 


HEA vs STA, Match 1: Fantasy Cricket Tips

If Brisbane Heat Bats First

  • Pick Olly Stone, Colin Munro & Josh Brown. 
  • Drop Spencer Johnson in Mini GLs/GLs. 

If Melbourne Stars Bats First

  • Paul Walter will be an excellent C/VC pick.
  • Pick Xavier Bartlett. 
  • Drop Usman Khawaja in Mini GLs/GLs.
  • Usama Mir becomes a top differential pick.