The Perth Scorchers have again flexed its T20 muscle by defeating the pre-round title favourites to be sitting a game clear on top of the table. It was yet another fine bowling performance, highlighted by the feats of Andrew Tye and Mitchell Johnson who continue to build strong cases of being the best bowlers in the Big Bash. We are getting to the stage of the tournament where form lines and trends are becoming more consistent, which in the long run are hopefully making predictions easier for the punter.
BEST BET:
HOBART HURRICANES HEAD TO HEAD @ $1.98 AGAINST SYDNEY THUNDER AT LAUNCESTON
HURRICANES ($1.98) VS THUNDER ($1.83)
AT UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA STADIUM, LAUNCESTON, SATURDAY 30/12, 19:10
We have the unique situation where the Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder are drawn to play two games against each other within 48 hours, so we’ll be previewing both matches together. The Hurricanes enter this encounter coming off a nine day break from its first and only game, an eternity in Big Bash terms. This will also be the franchise’s first home fixture at Launceston, so there will be unfamiliar conditions to the local players who play their state cricket in the south. Hobart was soundly beaten in its first outing of BBL07 against the Renegades, but showed promising signs. The top six all managed to score 23 or more, but they desperately needed a batsman to go on with it as Short and McDermott shared a team high score of 34. The steady fall of wickets limited the Hurricanes to a below par 8/164 for the conditions and the Renegades chased the target with the loss of just three wickets. Jofra Archer was a clear standout with the ball taking 2/14 and constantly threatened the 150kmph mark, along with Mills and Summers who weren’t as accurate. While the all out pace attack looks capable of striking, it will require greater consistency to succeed.
The Sydney Thunder fell to its second loss of BBL07 against the Heat, but gave its much fancied opponent a scare. Shane Watson continued his outstanding start of BBL07 with another half century, hitting 56 off 34 balls to set up a competitive 4/149 in a rain reduced innings of 17 overs. The early wicket of McCullum put the Thunder firmly in the contest, but the returning Chris Lynn threatened to singlehandedly take the match away before Watson struck to dismiss the BBL06 player of the tournament for a quick fire 25. The Thunder looked a winner at that point, but a patient Jimmy Peirson, Joe Burns and 25 runs off nine balls from Alex Ross saw it defeated on the penultimate delivery of the innings.
I still feel the Hurricanes are potentially underrated and the Thunder have looked particularly vulnerable with the bat and reliant on Shane Watson. Definitely some value with Hobart in the Launceston encounter, while you’d be mad betting on the second game without viewing the first, unless there is genuine value.
HOBART HURRICANES TO WIN BY 15-20 RUNS/5 WICKETS IN LAUNCESTON
CONFIDENCE: 70-75%
THUNDER ($1.60) VS HURRICANES ($2.40)
AT SPOTLESS STADIUM, MONDAY 01/01, 18:10
SYDNEY THUNDER TO WIN BY 10-15 RUNS/5 WICKETS
CONFIDENCE: 70-75%
STRIKERS ($2.00) VS HEAT ($1.81)
AT ADELAIDE OVAL, SUNDAY 31/12, 19:10
The Adelaide Strikers are proving to be a far more competitive side than many expected, securing its second victory to remain undefeated. Alex Carey is presenting himself as a future Australian player with both gloves and bat, after a match winning 83 not out that set up a solid 3/167 for Adelaide, although it was another disciplined collective bowling effort that closed the game out. All of Stanlake, Neser, Laughlin and Rashid took two wickets, while Siddle was economical again with 17 runs off his three overs. A late barnstorming partnership between O’Keefe and Dwarshuis turned the momentum and it was up to Michael Neser to defend 15 off the last over. A slot delivery first ball went over the fence, before Neser executed five consecutive yorkers to see Adelaide home by six runs.
There is no doubt that Brisbane look a far more dangerous and confident team with Chris Lynn in its side. While he didn’t produce a match defining innings, he appeared in brilliant nick with 25 from nine balls and most importantly, the Heat secured its second win of the campaign. There are growing bowling concerns though as Shadab Khan was clearly the most efficient again and while Steketee showed improvement, Lalor, Doggett and Swepson struggled with consistency. Electrifying innings from Lynn and Ross and more tempered efforts from Peirson and Burns saw the Heat home, but better all-round performances with the ball will be a focus.
This is a tough one split. I’m feeling better about Adelaide now after preseason doubts, but Lynn looked ready to reach his highs of BBL06 on return. Not ready to back either with great confidence, which is becoming a common trend in Heat matches.
BRISBANE HEAT TO WIN BY 5-10 RUNS/4 WICKETS
CONFIDENCE: 55-60%
SCORCHERS ($) VS SIXERS ($)
AT THE WACA, MONDAY 01/01, 21:20
A seventh consecutive victory against tournament favourites the Renegades has seen the Scorchers become the first team to three wins in BBL07. It also continued its reputation of being the masters of defending a low score on Boxing Day, restricting the Stars to 8/129 to win by 13 runs earlier in the week. The entire Perth bowling attack made a contribution and played their roles, but it was Andrew Tye who was again the main beneficiary. His 5/23, which included the key wickets of Luke Wright, Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis, was arguably the difference between the two teams and he was extremely unlucky not to receive man of the match honours. He collected another three wickets against the Renegades, but was outshone by a brilliant Mitchell Johnson effort of 3/14. Johnson has put together a ridiculous string of T20 form, with combined figures of 12/95 from his last 24 overs. Although the batting is still appearing a tad shaky, Perth is again looking like the team to beat.
The Sydney Sixers slumped to a third consecutive loss and is now in danger of losing touch with the top four, having already fallen four points behind. The big names have simply failed to make runs and decisions have constantly been questionable by top order batsmen. A classy half century from Jordan Silk and a 34 run partnership from just 16 balls between O’Keefe and Dawshuis got the Sixers within six runs, but they were still beaten in so many facets of the game. An average of 147 runs per innings isn’t going to win many games, so getting a good score on the board and lifting the confidence levels of Maddinson, Roy and Billings in particular is vital.
The Scorchers have already produced one comfortable six wicket victory away to the Sixers on December 23rd and on current form alone, there is only one side you can be backing with any confidence.
PERTH SCORCHERS TO WIN BY 15-20 RUNS/5 WICKETS
CONFIDENCE: 75-80%
