Big Bash Match Previews & Tips – 16th & 17th January

Looking forward to tonight’s block buster between the top of the table Sixers and the third placed Scorchers.  If the Scorchers were to win then they would move to second place.  A win for the Sixers would go a long way to securing them a double chance.  So plenty to play for.

A clinical bowling performance set the Scorchers up for victory on Tuesday night in Perth.  Jhye Richardson again leading the way with 4 wickets as the team in orange kept Hobart to 139.

A 123 run opening stand between the Englishman Liam Livingstone (54) and Jason Roy (74*) ensured a comfortable victory for the Scorchers and their fifth consecutive win.

Batting second in a rain affected game proved to be a major advantage for the Sixers in their derby win over the Thunder.  Josh Phillipe staring again with the bat for the Sixers – he made 64 as they chased the revised Thunder total with 8 balls to spare.

This is a no bet game for me.  The Scorchers are on a roll but there are a few queries here.  Mitch Marsh looks set to miss with a side strain and Colin Munro is still in doubt with a quad injury.  They are two major weapons for the Scorchers.  The Scorchers are also back on the road.  4 of their 5 wins have come at home in Perth so I would like to see them do it away from home.

The Stars relished playing at their home ground – the MCG – last night for the first time this season.  They snapped a run of outs with a resounding victory over the Adelaide Strikers.

West Indian Andre Fletcher had made 9 scores under 20 to start the tournament but the Stars stuck solid with him at the top of the order and it paid dividends.  He compiled 89 not out off 49 deliveries as the Stars posted 179.

A normally very consistent Strikers batting line up had a night to forget.  They were all out 68 in reply.  Adam Zampa back to his best with the ball – he took 5 wickets.

The Renegades poor season continued against the Heat.  On a tricky wicket I actually thought they did a good job to post a competitive total of 149.  However yet again found a way to squander opportunities – this time in the field.  Most notably dropping an easy catch to dismiss Chris Lynn.  Then dismissing Chris Lynn off a no ball!  Skipper Aaron Finch looked like he was ready to cry.

I am going with the same betting strategy here as I suggested on Friday night.  That is to back the 2 class players for the Stars in the most runs market – Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.  Both are in good form and I think we were a little bit unlucky to run into the only score Andre Fletcher has made in 10 innings the other night.

Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars – 1.25 Units | Marcus Stoinis Most Runs Melbourne Stars @ $3.4 (TAB)

Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars – 1 Unit | Glenn Maxwell Most Runs Melbourne Stars @ $4.5 (TAB)

Starting Bank: 100 Units

Current Bank:  90.52 Units

*Please note the maximum outlay on a single outcome is 2.5 units