Big Bash Match Previews & Tips – 2nd & 3rd January

Cricket returns to the apple isle this afternoon when the Hobart Hurricanes take on the Melbourne Stars.

The Hurricanes returned to the winners stall after defending 150 against the Heat.  The Heat needed just 6 runs off the final over but fell 1 run short thanks to a clutch final over from Scott Boland and a direct hit run out from Colin Ingram.  An amazing game of cricket.

Cleary these two teams strength lies in their batting.  Both have a mixture of quality local and international batsman but their bowling at times can be costly.

James Faulkner is once again in doubt for this match with hamstring tightness.  We may not know until the toss whether he will take his place in the side but even if he is to play I favour the Stars here.  They need to bounce back quickly after a poor loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.

The Sixers will be looking to make it 5 wins in a row when they face the Brisbane Heat tonight.

As I mentioned, the Heat lost just about the unlosable game on Saturday night and have just 1 win from 5 games.  Heat captain Chris Lynn will again miss with a hamstring injury.

The Sixers are showing no signs of slowing down.  They have found the right recipe with their batting order and their bowling has very little weakness.

I am again looking to target the most 6’s and win match option against the Heat here.  Their aren’t many batters for the Heat that have the ability to clear the fence now that Chris Lynn is out of that side.  Where as the Sixers have a number of players that can do so.  I.e.  Philippe, Christian, Holder, Braithwaite.

The Scorchers return home to Perth for the first time this season and do so with good momentum.  They were finally able to notch up their first win of BBL 10 on New Years Eve.  A good performance with the ball restricted the Strikers to 146.  Then a fast start from Jason Roy set the game up for Perth with the bat.  He made 49 off 32 balls as his Scorchers chased the Strikers total 3 wickets down in the 18^th over.

A superb knock off 87 from Shaun Marsh wasn’t enough to see the Renegades get over the line against the Sydney Thunder.  The Thunder were 2/117 when rain stopped play as the Renegade bowlers struggled to contain the Thunder batsman.  The game was eventually decided by the Duckworth Lewis system.

I am surprised there is $2 on offer for the Scorchers to hit the most 6’s in this game.  The Scorchers conceded only 1 6 during their last bowling innings and have a top 6 that are all of capable of clearing the fence consistently against a Renegades bowling line up that is low on confidence.

Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars – 1.5 Units | Melbourne Stars @ $1.90

Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers – 2.5 Units | Sydney to Win & To hit the most match 6’s @ $2.40 (Sportsbet)

Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades – 1.5 Units | Perth to hit the most match 6’s @ $2.00 (Sportsbet)

Overall: – 7.93 Units

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