Big Bash Match Previews & Tips – 22nd January

The Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers enter this game off the back of last start wins and will be desperate to make it two in a row in the first match of tonight’s double header.

With the ladder so tight both sides need to keep wining to ensure they secure a finals position.

Last night in Adelaide we saw the impact of the returning Australian test players to the BBL and this shapes as a key factor again tonight.  Matthew Wade who has dominated this competition in recent years is expected to play for the Hurricanes – a huge inclusion for them.  Australian test captain Tim Paine is also likely to be available for the men in purple although I’m not 100% sure they can fit him in to a jam packed batting line up.

The Scorchers are still likely to be without Mitch Marsh due to injury.  I think this gives the Hurricanes batting the upper hand and if they can curtail leading wicket taker Jhye Richardson (Scorchers) with the new ball I think they can get the job done tonight.

The second of tonights matches is the Sydney Derby which will be played in Adelaide due to the Corona virus situation in NSW.

The Sydney Sixers are 8 points clear on top of the BBL table and will only be strengthened by the return of Moses Henriques and Sean Abbot from national duty.

In their latest match the Sixers put an end to the Scorchers winning streak chasing down 164 for the loss of 3 wickets.  Josh Phillipee with another big score – he made 84.

The Thunder have lost 4 of their last 6 and the one time ladder leaders are in danger of slipping out of the all important top 5.  They set the game up well on Monday night with the bat and after taking 2 early wickets were in a commanding position.  However the Hurricanes were able to put together a big third wicket partnership which enabled them to go on and chase down the Thunders score of 177.

The Sydney Sixers are deserved favourites here but are short enough in the betting.  So I am backing the inform Alex Hales to relish batting on a flat Adelaide Oval wicket and continue on his good run of form with the bat.

Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers – 1.5 Units | Hobart Hurricanes @ $2.15 (TAB)

Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers – 1 Unit | Alex Hales Most Runs Sydney Thunder @ $3.6 (TAB)

Starting Bank: 100 Units

Current Bank:  85.65 Units

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