BBL 2025-26: Predicting playing XI for match 20

Brisbane Heat will take on the Melbourne Stars in the 20th match of the Big Bash League 2025-26 on Friday, January 2, at The Gabba in Brisbane. The Heat are in sixth place with two wins in five matches. The Stars are in first place and have won four games. The Stars have won four out of five matches against the Heat.

Let’s look at the probable playing XI for match 16 of the BBL 2025-26:

Brisbane Heat

Top Order: Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, and Lachlan Hearne

Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, and Lachlan Hearne will likely be a part of the top order in the playing 11. Wildermuth is the leading run-scorer for the team with 130 runs at a strike rate of 152.94. He has also taken eight wickets in five games at an average of 22.87.

Middle Order: Matt Renshaw, Max Bryant, and Hugh Weibgen

Matt Renshaw, Max Bryant, and Hugh Weibgen are likely to be there in the middle order. Renshaw is the leading run-scorer for the team with 202 runs in five games at a strike rate of 165.57.

Lower Middle Order: Jimmy Peirson (wk) and Xavier Bartlett (c)

Jimmy Peirson and Xavier Bartlett are likely to be in the lower middle-order. Bartlett is the second-highest wicket-taker for the team with seven wickets in five games at an average of 26.85.

Bowlers: Matthew Kuhnemann, Thomas Balkin, and Ollie Patterson

Matthew Kuhnemann, Thomas Balkin, and Ollie Patterson might be the three bowlers for the team. Kuhnemann and Balkin have taken three wickets each so far.

Melbourne Stars

Top Order: Joe Clarke, Sam Harper (wk), and Campbell Kellaway

Joe Clarke, Sam Harper, and Campbell Kellaway will likely be a part of the top order in the playing 11. Harper is the highest run-scorer for the Stars with 194 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 157.72.

Middle Order: Thomas Fraser Rogers, Marcus Stoinis (c), and Glenn Maxwell

Thomas Fraser Rogers, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell are likely to be there in the middle order. Stoinis has scored 94 runs in two outings at a strike rate of 177.35.

Lower Middle Order: Hilton Cartwright and Tom Curran

Hilton Cartwright and Tom Curran are likely to be in the lower middle-order. Curran is the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Stars with nine wickets in four games at an average of 12.

Bowlers: Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, and Peter Siddle

Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, and Peter Siddle could be the three bowlers for the team. Rauf has picked up nine wickets in four games at an average of 14.11.