BBL10 Final

Written by Jared Timms
Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers
Same Game Multi ($7.93)

Two months of matches, some world class performances and it all comes down to this – the Big Bash Final!

The Sydney Sixers have been one of the league’s standouts since the competition commenced, topping the table at the conclusion of the regular season and winning passage through to the decider by winning the Qualifier.

The Perth Scorchers have been forced to take a longer road through the finals, but their form since Christmas has been nothing short of brilliant, and there is no doubt that the two best teams will contest this match.

That is exactly how the bookies see it and at publish, we’re faced with $1.90 for both the Sixers and the Scorchers.

I am a big fan of the Sixers, their overall season dominance and their ability to dig out of seemingly dire situations, but given this is the last Big Bash match that we’ll witness for more than ten months, I’m eager to dive into a Same Game Multi, and couple a Sixers win with two other legs.

Tip: SGM: Sixers Win/Josh Philippe 25+ Runs/Jhye Richardson 2+ Wickets – $7.93

Bet now: Sixers vs Scorchers

Thursday, February 4

Written by Jared Timms
Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat
SGM: Scorchers Win/Richardson 2+ Wickets

The Perth Scorchers and the Brisbane Heat will go toe-to-toe at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Thursday night for the right to face the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash Final.

The Scorchers have been outstanding since Christmas, and while they were comfortably beaten in the Qualifier on Saturday night, they are justifiable $1.70 favourites to win this match; the Heat currently available at odds of $2.10.

The Scorchers’ batting has been impressive, and ably supported by one of, if not the best bowling attack in the league.

The Heat’s reliance on Chris Lynn hasn’t been as obvious in BBL10, though with that being said, the captain has still managed to knock five fifties during the season and has continued to play a crucial role.

I simply cannot tip against the Scorchers in this contest, but I am going to increase the value in my bet by including the result in a two-leg Same Game Multi.

Bet now: Scorchers vs Heat

Friday, January 29

Written by Jared Timms
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers
Heat to Win ($1.80)

The BBL10 finals are underway on Friday and first cab off the rank is the fourth-placed Heat taking on the fifth-placed Strikers.

Both sides were forced to wait until the final day of the regular season for their respective fates to be sealed, but they have won in, and theoretically have given themselves the same chance of winning the championship and their remaining rivals.

The Heat, while inconsistent, took the luck out of the equation by beating the high-flying and (at that point) table-topping Perth Scorchers. Chris Lynn looked good, as did Marnus, and that performance and result has surely instilled a huge amount of confidence.

The Strikers really have only just been getting by since Rashid Khan departed, and they enter this off the back of a defeat to the third-placed Sydney Thunder.

In my opinion, they’d really have to improved to be a side like the Heat at home.

Popular SGM: Chris Lynn 1+ Six, Marnus Labuschagne 2+ Fours, Alex Carey 15+ Runs – $3.82

Bet now: Heat vs Strikers

Tuesday, January 26

Written by Jared Timms
Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers
SGM: Scorchers Win/Richardson 2+ Wickets ($3.02)

The Brisbane Heat can potentially sneak into the finals by winning their last game of the BBL10 regular season, but they’ll need other results to fall in their favour, and standing in their way are the table-topping Perth Scorchers.

Yet another inconsistent season has plagued the Heat and while they did look to be on track for a finals berth just after Christmas, the wheels have fallen off again recently.

The Scorchers lost their first three matches but have subsequently lost just one of their last ten to charge into the four and ultimately usurp the Sixers for first place.

They are full of running and will likely win but there isn’t much value left in their quote, so I’m going to couple the result with Jhye Richardson taking two wickets or more for better value.

Bet now: Heat vs Scorchers
Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes
SGM: Hurricanes Win/Short 25+ Runs ($2.94)

The Renegades have been the only side out of the finals hunt for a long time now, but they can potentially deny the Hurricanes a berth as well by winning this match.

Threw wins and ten losses is how the ledger reads for the Red side of Melbourne and quite frankly, they’re probably lucky to have won that many.

The ‘Canes are another side who have largely been undone by inconsistency, but they’ve done enough to maintain a position in the top five for virtually their entire campaign, and a win here would confirm a berth.

Given they knocked off the Sixers on Sunday, it’s hard to make a case against the Hurricanes again today.

Bet now: Renegades vs Hurricanes
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers
Sixers to Win ($1.80)

Easily the match of the day looks like materialising when the Stars take on the Sixers in the primetime slot.

The Stars have comfortably been BBL10’s biggest disappointment. Yet again, they have boasted one of the league’s best sides on paper and look good early on, but failed to capitalise on the start and enter this match seventh on the ladder.

The Sixers meanwhile have been one of the two standout sides (alongside the Scorchers) and are all but assured a favourable finals run.

This isn’t much more than an opportunity to complete a favourable lead-in to the knockout stage, and I won’t be betting against them.

Bet now: Stars vs Sixers

Monday, January 25

Written by Jared Timms
Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder
Strikers to Win ($2)

For the second time in as many days, the Adelaide Strikers will take on the Sydney Thunder and interestingly, it’s Sunday’s losers, the Thunder, who have opened as and maintain $1.80 favouritism.

The Strikers, who put themselves back into the top four by winning on Sunday, are available at even money (at publish).

The Strikers did look down and out as soon as Rashid Khan left for international duties, but they have impressively won three of their last four matches and appear to be full of running heading into the finals.

The Thunder meanwhile have fallen out of form and have lost four of their last five.

While Sunday’s meeting was close, I’m happy to take the value around the Strikers again.

Bet now: Strikers vs Thunder

Sunday, January 24

Written by Jared Timms
Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers
Hales Thunder Top Runscorer ($3.40)

This shapes as intriguing match with potential top four implications on the line for both sides and at publish, the bookies cannot split them – $1.90 available for both the Thunder and the Strikers.

Alex Hales has proven that he is still one of the world’s most lethal short-form batsmen and he is again rated a $3.40 favourite to top score for the Thunder this afternoon ahead of Usman Khawaja, $3.60 and Callum Ferguson, $4.50.

Alex Carey was utterly enormous against the Brisbane Heat on Thursday night, hitting an impressive 101 off just 62 balls, and it probably comes as no surprise that he is the $3.25 favourite to top score for the Strikers again this afternoon.

I think that the bookies are on the money with the head-to-head pricing and I am going to stay away from it.

Bet now: Thunder vs Strikers
Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes
Sixers to Win ($1.80)

The table-topping Sixers can complete an ideal lead-up to this Big Bash Finals Series by beating the Hobart Hurricanes this evening, and betting suggests they will take beating – they are $1.80 favourites, with even money about the ‘Canes.

The Sixers have been the league’s benchmark since play resumed this summer and they are on track to defend last season’s championship. Their overall consistency means they have secured a favourable run in the finals and they need only continue on their season trajectory to make the decider.

The Hurricanes’ inconsistency has again proven to be their downfall in BBL10 – they have shown glimpses of a championship side, but have let themselves down for often than not.

I simply cannot tip against the Sixers in current touch.

Bet now: Sixers vs Hurricanes

Saturday, January 23

Written by Jared Timms
Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat
Heat to Win ($1.83)

The Melbourne Renegades are the only side that cannot possibly make the BBL10 finals, but they can certain cause a few headaches for the clubs still fighting for a berth, and one of those is this afternoon’s opponent, the Brisbane Heat.

Simply put, they’ve been awful. The Renegades haven’t been able to get into anything of a rhythm, they are lucky to have won even the few matches that they have, and the end of the season cannot arrive quickly enough.

The Heat meanwhile have been above decent since Christmas, and it has allowed them to toe the edge of the four for a couple of weeks now.

They sit sixth leading into this match, but will well and truly keep the pressure on with a win, and I think that’s exactly what will materialise. There’s still plenty of meat on the bone as $1.83 favourites.

Bet now: Renegades vs Heat
Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers
Scorchers to Win ($1.83)

The standout Saturday match definitely looks like taking place between the Stars and the Scorchers at the MCG.

Both sides are well and truly in the finals framework and the result of this match is likely to have a real impact on who finishes second.

I’ve said it several times before and it doesn’t stop being true – the Scorchers resurgence has been nothing short of outstanding after losing their first three, and they very well could record a fourth BBL Championship win.

Their loss to the Sixers last weekend is in the history books, and they enter this match full of running after destroying the Hurricanes.

Similarly to the Heat in the earlier game, there’s still enough left for me at $1.83, and I will look to multi those two results for better value.

Bet now: Stars vs Scorchers

Friday, January 22

Written by Jared Timms
Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers
Scorchers to Win ($1.73)

The Perth Scorchers made light work of the Brisbane Heat on Tuesday night, and they will look to consolidate their position in the BBL10 top four at the expense of the Hobart Hurricanes this afternoon.

The Scorchers’ were given something of a touch up by the table-topping Sixers on the weekend, but reaffirmed their credentials on Tuesday, comfortably account for the league’s other resurgent side.

That result moved them to second on the ladder, and there is little doubt they are the side to beat again this afternoon.

The ‘Canes’ momentarily moved back into the four with a nice win over the Adelaide Strikers, but have since fallen back to fifth, and with scope to continue plummeting.

I think the bookies just about have this one correct, and I’m happy to take the $1.73 available for the Scorchers.

Bet now: Hurricanes vs Scorchers
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder
Sixers to Win ($1.80)

Big Bash Derbies are typically always a good contest regardless of form, but this is two genuine top four sides doing battle, and we’ll be treated to a spectacle at the Adelaide Oval tonight.

The Sixers have taken control of BBL10, and if it wasn’t already confirmed, a win in this match would all but lock in top spot ahead of the finals.

This regular season has been easily their strongest performance since the competition’s inception, and they are on track to successfully defend last season’s championship.

The Thunder, while still better than most other sides, have been somewhat inconsistent since the beginning of the year, and have actually lost three-consecutive matches leading into this one.

I simply cannot tip against the Sixers currently, and I’ll be looking to box them up with the Scorchers winning in a Friday multi.

Bet now: Sixers vs Thunder

Thursday, January 21

Written by Jared Timms
Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat
Heat to Win ($2)

An intriguing match awaits this evening as two sides that are still well and truly in the hunt for finals, but who are currently sitting outside of the top four clash, in what is likely to prove a crucial tie.

The Strikers have been winning one and losing one since Christmas, and that inconsistency has seen them drop out of the four and ultimately sit second last ahead of this clash.

They are clearly weakened without Rashid Khan, and simply need to win wherever possible if they are any chance of sneaking into the finals.

The Heat’s resurgence has slowed somewhat throughout the last week, but a win tonight would thrust them right back into the four. I think that it will happen.

Bet now: Strikers vs Heat

Wednesday, January 20

Written by Jared Timms
Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars
SGM: Stars Win/Stoinis 25+ Runs ($2.63)

This is usually a good match regardless of form, but it’s almost impossible to make a case for the Renegades in any match this season, and that is well and truly echoed in the market – they are so far friendless and out to $2.40, the Stars are very firm $1.57 favourites.

Marcus Stoinis has been a standout for the Stars with the bat and is perhaps unsurprisingly the $3.50 favourite to top score for his side again tonight ahead of Glenn Maxwell ($3.75) – the value could prove to be Andre Fletcher ($4.50).

Aaron Finch hasn’t been able to get going recently but still maintains $3.30 favouritism in Renegades top runscorer betting, ahead of Shaun Marsh ($3.40), Sam Harper ($4.50) and Jake Fraser-McGurk ($6).

I’m very confident that the Stars will win, but there’s little value left in their quote, so I’m going to instead include the result as a let in a two-leg Same Game Multi.

Bet now: Renegades vs Stars