Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars
All eyes will be on Jos Buttler and Joe Root as they begin their Big Bash season for Sydney Thunder against Melbourne Stars on Friday morning.
The Thunder won the competition three years ago and with the likes of Shane Watson and Callum Ferguson sitting alongside Buttler and Root in a stellar batting line-up, they have every right to be confident of a big run this year.
Their bowling attack looks less intimidating but they might still have too much firepower for a Melbourne Stars outfit that have the look of a team in transition this year.
Still, the visitors house the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis in their ranks while the signing of Dwayne Bravo is a shrewd addition.
He is pencilled to come in before Root yet the England man is half the price at 7/2 while aggressive openers Buttler and Watson are priced up 5/2 and 3/1 respectively.
Take the value about Ferguson while it lasts.
Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers
Perth Scorchers suffered a shock defeat to Melbourne Stars on Thursday and bid to get their campaign back on track when taking on Sydney Sixers on Saturday morning.
The Scorchers never got going with the ball when stumbling to 103 all out but displayed their potency with the ball when reducing to the Renegades to 17-4 in reply.
An eventual four-wicket defeat was a disappointing start but they know what is required in this competition and won't be panicking for all they will want their top-order to find some form quickly.
More concerning will have abject displays from David Willey and Usman Qadir and don't be surprised if one, or both, make way for any one of the number of the talented home-grown performers they have waiting in the wings.
The Scorchers are 10/11 to bounce back with a win but I'd be inclined to sit this one out unless the men in Orange bat first and post another under-par score.
Were that to be the case, I'd be happy to take a chance on Perth's excellent bowling attack in-running to pull off the sort of rescue act they came close to achieving on Wednesday.
Posted at 1240 GMT on 20/12/18