Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars: Big Bash Sunday preview

The wait is almost over as the Big Bash League makes its return on Sunday for its 14th season.

And the curtain-raiser for this year's tournament pits one of the franchise's most successful teams, Perth Scorchers, against an unfancied Melbourne Stars outfit.

The Scorchers finished a respectable third in the standings last season but were hammered by Adelaide Strikers in the knockout stage, while the Stars did not even make the top four.

International commitments and player injuries will play their part in the early stages of the season and the Scorchers especially are missing personnel going into this match with spin pair Cooper Conolly and Ashton Agar both sidelined.

Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars betting preview

Stars set for frustrating season despite changes

Melbourne Stars were by no means the weakest team in last season's Big Bash League but there is room for improvement after they won just four of their ten matches.

That said, the Stars have never won the BBL title and have not reached the finals in any of the last four seasons.

Glenn Maxwell has also been displaced as captain by Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa's departure also hinders the team's experience.

Tom Curran and Ben Duckett have been drafted in but they lack quality at the crease beyond the English pair and they could be up against it in their first contest.

The Scorchers ran out seven-wicket winners when these teams clashed last December and are 1.68 for the victory this time around.

All eyes on Scorchers talent Allen

Perth Scorchers are the all-time most successful team in the Big Bash League with five titles but they underwhelmed last season with their heavy defeat to Adelaide Strikers in the playoffs.

That said, they have not hit the panic button and personnel changes have been few and far between.

Laurie Evans has departed but they have enhanced their batting lineup with the addition of Finn Allen, who should regularly be in contention to be their top scorer.

Allen has previously impressed for Wellington in the Super Smash and San Francisco in Major League Cricket and can be explosive high up the order.

In the 2020/21 campaign, the New Zealander scored 512 runs at an average of 56.9 and he can be truly destructive when he gets going.

Against a largely underwhelming Melbourne Stars bowling attack, he is 1.83 to score over 24.5 runs, while to be top match batter he's 5.00.

Josh Inglis is next in the betting at 6.00, while fellow new Scorchers signing Keaton Jennings is also 6.00.

Read more cricket previews on site.

Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars odds

Perth Scorchers - 1.68
Melbourne Stars - 2.20

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.