Big Bash Match Previews & Tips – 26th January

The last three matches of the regular season will be played back to back to back on Australia Day with all being critical to the make up of the top five.  This is the first of them starting at 12:30 AEDT.

The Scorchers are rated a $2.40 chance with Sportsbet to win BBL 10 and have all but secured the double chance thanks to a strong net run rate.   It will be interesting to see if they opt to rest a player or two in this.

The Heat on the other hand need to win here and one of the Strikers, Hurricanes or Thunder to lose to move into the top five.  They put together a strong all round performance on Saturday night against the Renegades.  Chris Lynn and Marnus Labuschagne the main contributors with the bat while Mark Steketee took three wickets with the ball.

Heat Skipper Chris Lynn is in red hot form with the bat and I am expecting him to make a big score for his side with the season on the line.

The Renegades sit on the bottom of the table and will be only playing for pride – they can not make the finals.

Hobart are fifth and like the Strikers and Thunder can guarantee a finals birth with a win tomorrow evening.

The Hurricanes have won two of their last three with their loss an honourable one to the top of the table Scorchers.  Their win last night was set up by an epic 145 run opening stand between Mathew Wade and Darcy Short.  As we thought, Wade has already made his presence felt after returning from national duties.

This is a no bet game.  The Hurricanes are short odds with the bookies and rightly so.

We reach our last match of the season here by which time both of these teams will have a much clearer picture as to where they sit and what they need to do.

The Sixers can’t miss the finals but if Adelaide are to win then they may need at least a point to ensure a top two finish and a double chance.

The Melbourne Stars, like the Heat, need results to go there way and then would need to win this game to make the top five.

The Sixers have sat at the top of the table for the majority of the tournament but have been dethroned by the Scorchers after losing three of their past four games.  They may have relaxed somewhat knowing that finals were locked in a long way out but will be keen to take some momentum in to the pointy end of the season with a victory here – and end the dangerous Stars year in the process.

The Stars have lost their last two games in what continues to be a very up and down season.  They are not a betting proposition for me here but backing their opening batsman Marcus Stoinis for most runs is.  He continues to play well and he has a great record on this ground.

Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat – 1 Unit | Chris Lynn Most Runs Brisbane Heat @ $3.20 (Sportsbet)

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers – 1 Unit | Marcus Stoinis Most Runs Melbourne Stars @ $3.25 (Sportsbet)

Starting Bank: 100 Units

Current Bank:  86.87 Units

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