Big Bash Match Previews & Tips – 7th January

Immediately following day one of the test match between India & Australia (click here for a full preview) cricket heads to Perth for the first of two BBL games this evening.

Both sides are coming off loses.  The Thunder were comprehensively beaten in the end by the Brisbane Heat who chased down their 174 with 5 balls to spare.

The Hurricanes were victims of a quality knock from Marcus Stoinis but were gallant in their loss to the Stars.

The Hurricanes have won their last three matches at Optus Stadium and I think they can make it four in a row.  I mentioned the other night that many of the Thunder’s wins have come containing teams on slower wickets in the nations capital and it was a different kettle of fish on the quick Gabba wicket and the Perth wicket is of similar nature.  The Hurricanes have some quality batting and I am backing them to get a hold of the Thunder bowling line up tonight.

Small outlay on the Hurricanes to win.

The third and final leg of todays cricket bonanza sees the Melbourne Stars play the Brisbane Heat on the Gold Coast.

The Heat have come roaring back into finals contention after a poor start to the competition.  I mentioned the other night that the addition of Joe Denly might be what the Heat needed to sure up their batting order and that proved to be the case.  He made a crucial 50 in their win over the Thunder.  Chris Lynn made a surprise return from his hamstring injury and looked in ominous form – he made 30.  The Heat used Lynn as the x factor and it will be interesting to see if they continue to do so as he is clearly not back to 100% yet.

The Stars ended their three match losing streak with a win over the Hobart Hurricanes in Hobart.  Batting first the Stars made 183 with Marcus Stoinis making a spectacular return to form with 97 not out.  When Dawid Malan was LBW to Adam Zampa in the 13^th over, the Hurricanes still needed 95 runs to win and the game looked over.  However as is often the case, the Stars went onto concede multiple 10 + overs and if it had not of been for some brilliance in the outfield from Andre Fletcher the Stars would likely of lost.  He took two spectacular catches.

This game will be played at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.  Therefore the Heat will need to adjust to a slower wicket but the discrepancy in price seems much too big given the Stars problems with the ball.  I am expecting the market to trend towards the Heat in the lead up to this one and am backing them to win for a small outlay.

Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder – 1 Unit | Hobart Hurricanes @ $1.90

Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars – 1 Unit | Brisbane Heat @ $2.22

Starting Bank: 100 Units

Current Bank:  92.08 Units

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