Couch Critic previews Saturday's Big Bash League matches including Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat with best bets from @Olimp_SA
There is another double header in the Big Bash on Saturday and I take a look at some suggested plays as we hit the business end of BBL09.
Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes (Sydney @ 09:10)
The middle of the BBL log is very congested at present. The Brisbane Heat find themselves in third on 8 log points with the Hobart Hurricanes in seventh on 6. The Sydney Thunder are sandwiched in the middle of these two in fifth spot. Both the Thunder and the Hurricanes will know that they need to get their act together and string a few results together to start moving toward the sharp end of the log.
Both sides come into this clash in Sydney off the back of losses. The Thunder could only manage 145 in Melbourne which was never going to be enough whilst the Hurricanes limped to 126 in Brisbane. The last match held at Sydney was a rather low-scoring affair.
For the home side the opening pair of Khawaja and Hales just haven’t been able to establish the strong start required. Bowling wise Dan Sams has been superb but there has been a general lack of support for him. The Hurricanes have lost the big scoring D’Arcy Short to national duty and as such McDermott remains as the main run-scorer though Matthew Wade looked good on his return. The leg spin of Qais Ahmed has proved effective for them but I was impressed with the efforts of Scott Boland in the previous match.
Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat, (Perth @ 12:10)
The Brisbane Heat have just about been able to keep themselves nearer the top of the table but need a victory or two to start pulling themselves clear of the rest of the mid-table pack. The Perth Scorchers have one victory less than the Heat but both teams come into this match off the back of victories. The Last match in Perth saw 180 play 172.
Mitch Marsh puts up a fight with both bat and ball for his side whilst Bancroft and Livingstone are the other big names in the line-up. With ball in hand Fawed Ahmed and Jhye Richardson carry the load, with the latter in good recent form. For the Brisbane Heat it is all about the power of their top 3. After a slow effort last time out I reckon the big hitting Tom Banton will want to end his Big Bash campaign on a high as his stint comes to an end.
BETOLIMP BEST BETS
Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes
Top Hurricanes Bat - M Wade @ 3.60
Top Hurricanes Bowler - S Boland @ 4.50
Top Thunder Bat - C Ferguson @ 4.00
Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat
Man of the Match - Mitch Marsh @ 14.00
Top Scorchers Bowler - JA Richardson @ 4.60
Best Scorchers Bat – L Livingstone @ 4.00
Batsman Total Sixes – T Banton Over 0.5 @ 1.72
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Enjoy the cricket and happy punting!
