Friday, January 19th

Friday, January 19th

Jared Timms
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers
Suggested Bets Below

We’re set for a thrilling contest up at the Gold Coast on Friday when the Heat and Sixers do battle for an automatic berth in this season’s Big Bash decider.

There is absolutely no doubt that these two sides have been the benchmark (alongside the Scorchers) throughout BBL13, and both are worthy of winning the whole thing.

Having snuck into last year’s final, the Heat really have been the big improvers this season, and only suffered their first loss of the campaign at the hands of the Scorchers in Perth over the weekend. Worryingly, they will be without internationals Sam Billings and Colin Munro, who have both left for the UAE, and they really will be banking on the availability of Matt Renshaw, currently in camp with the Australian test side.

The Sixers have been typically good and consistent, but they look to be hitting their straps at the absolute perfect moment, having knocked off the Scorchers to secure their spot in this match on Tuesday night.

I’m siding with the Sixers and following a couple of players that have done the job for us already this season.

Suggested Bets

  • Sixers to Win ($1.80)
  • Josh Philippe Sixers Top Runscorer ($4)
  • Xavier Bartlett 2+ Wickets ($2.10)
Bet now: Heat vs Sixers

Wednesday, January 17th

Matthew Bliesner
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades (7:15pm AEDT)
Suggested Bets Below

Match number 40 of BBL13 will not only be the last regular season game of the tournament, but it will also be the last games for both Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh who have announced their retirements from all forms of cricket.

The Sydney Thunder will play host to the Melbourne Renegades where both sides are playing for something much bigger than a top four finish, it’s the battle for the wooden spoon.

Yes, you heard right, the winner will avoid the wooden spoon and win pride for their respective side.

How do I think this game will play out?

My thoughts and full preview can be found below.

Both the Thunder and Renegades have been subpar all season and with the teams they had on paper, they should both be in the top 4.

Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh have made a significant contribution to cricket and with their last games being tonight, they are ready, willing, and able to provide one last win for the road.

The numbers say it all, Finch is the second all-time leading run scorer with 3311 runs in the Big Bash which is nothing short of outstanding.

Not to mention Shaun Marsh, who at the time of writing, is currently sitting sixth with 2810 runs which is just as remarkable.

Here are my selections for the final regular season game of the season.

 

Same Game Multi

  • Renegades to win.
  • Aaron Finch 20+ Runs
  • Shaun Marsh 20+ Runs

 

Best of Luck to Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh in their final game before retiring from all forms of cricket.

Bet now: Thunder vs Renegades

Tuesday, January 16th

Matthew Bliesner
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers (7:40pm AEDT)
Suggested Bets Below

The Perth Scorchers will host the Sydney Sixers tonight at Optus Stadium with finals implications for both.

The winner will finish in second place and take on the in-form Brisbane Heat at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast in the Qualifier, while the loser of this matchup will face the Adelaide Strikers in the Knockout.

Who do I think will win this matchup?

My full Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers preview can be found below.

To understand the nature of this matchup, we first need to look back at the biggest rivalry in BBL history.

The Scorchers and the Sixers have both played against each other in five of the last 12 BBL Finals – which is unreal, to say the least.

At least one of the two sides has featured in nine of the 12 BBL Finals which shows just how great both sides truly are, especially at the pointy end of the season.

Jye Richardson is out for the remainder of the season which is a big blow to the Scorchers hopes and it means that someone will have to step up in his replacement, and that man is Andrew Tye.

Tye has secured two or more wickets in each of the Scorchers’ last four home games.

Not only that, the Scorchers also haven’t had the best of form at the top of the order and I think Laurie Evans batting in the middle order will be crucial.

He has been the saving grace for the back end of the season, and today I think it’ll be no different.

Evans has scored 20 or more runs in five of the Scorchers last six games and he’s ready to end the season with a bang.

For the Sixers to win this and secure a second place finish, they will hope that their international players like James Vince manage to score some runs.

Vince has a well-respected average of 31.7 this season with the Englishman scoring 20 or more runs including his last two games.

Leading into the bowlers, Sean Abbott loves to bowl in the big games, especially at the reigning champions the Perth Scorchers.

Abbott has taken one or more wickets in 6 of his last seven big bash games, including three or more wickets in each of the last two games against the Scorchers.

Here are my suggested bets below.

 

Same Game Multi

  • Scorchers to Win
  • Evans 20+ Runs
  • Vince 20+ Runs
  • Tye 1+ Wicket
  • Abbott 1+ Wicket
Bet now: Scorchers vs Sixers

Monday, January 15th

Matthew Bliesner
Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes (7:15pm AEDT)
Suggested Bets Below

A game that means nothing to the top four however, the Melbourne Stars will host the Hobart Hurricanes tonight at the MCG with both sides playing for pride.

So, what went wrong for the Stars?

Their “Star” players if you will, failed to play good, consistent cricket which, when combined with a terrible start to the season cost them a run to the finals.

The same can be said about the Hurricanes, no Matthew Wade for the majority of the season meant they lacked experience, leadership and knowledge of the game.

However tonight, both sides will want to win to send end their campaign home on a winning note.

Who do I think can get the job done tonight?

My thoughts can be found below.

Looking at the numbers straight away, I can see that Hobart has failed to win 12 of their last 13 away matches, which is bad news for Hurricanes fans.

However, this matchup is great for Caleb Jewell, who’s been the top runscorer for Hobart against Melbourne in three of his last four appearances against them.

We can say the same for Glenn Maxwell, as the superstar has a great record at the MCG – scoring 30 or more runs in each of his last four appearances at the MCG.

Nathan Coulter-Nile may have been out for most of the season, but the West Australian quick has taken a scalp in each of his last 10 games.

For the Hobart Hurricanes, the experience of Riley Meredith is crucial to making this a competitive match.

The star quick for the Canes has taken two or more wickets in each of his last five games against the Stars and he will need to step up to give them a fighting chance of finishing the season with a win.

Here’s what I’ll be taking tonight.

 

Same Game Multi

  • Stars to win
  • Maxwell 20+ Runs
  • Jewell 20+ Runs
  • Coulter-Nile 1+ Wicket
  • Riley Meredith 1+ Wicket.
Bet now: Stars vs Hurricanes

Sunday, January 14th

Matthew Bliesner
Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers (7:15pm AEDT)
Suggested Bets Below

We’re getting closer and closer to the pointy end of the Big Bash season and I’m expecting some fireworks between the two.

The recently retired David Warner is ready to perform in front of his home ground for the first time this season and he’s locked in for the showcase of the season.

Strikers Captain Matt Short has been nothing short of brilliant this season and he’s ready, willing and able to guide the in-form Strikers to yet another win in their column.

The Strikers have won four of their last five away games against the Thunder and I think they can do it again.

One man who I think will star for the Strikers with the ball is Henry Thornton, who’s snagged five wickets in four games and he’s ready to make yet another impact at Sydney Showgrounds.

For the Thunder, Daniel Sams has gone from strength to strength this season and he’s been a joy to watch with the ball in hand.

Although Sams has gone from 1st to 3rd on the season wicket tally, he’s taken 18 wickets in 12 games against the Strikers with an economy rate of 7.92.

Here is my selection for tonight’s match.

 

Same Game Multi

  • Strikers to Win
  • Matt Short 20+
  • David Warner 20+ (Bancroft if he’s not playing)
  • Henry Thornton 2+ Wickets
  • Daniel Sams 2+ Wickets
Bet now: Thunder vs Strikers

Saturday January 13th

Jared Timms
Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat (4:15pm AEDT)
Suggested Bets Below

The return leg of Wednesday night’s top-of-the-table clash between the Scorchers and Heat will take place in Perth this afternoon.

These two sides have clearly been the standouts of BBL13; the Scorchers typically consistent as reigning champions, and the Heat remaining undefeated.

I was of the opinion that the Heat might be a little outclassed in Wednesday’s clash, but they really did go to another level after a slow start with the bat, and they are fitting competition favourites now.

The Scorchers rarely lose, and even moreso two matches in a row, and I am confident that they can and will reverse the result upon returning home. Aaron Hardie and Jhye Richardson both had off nights in Brisbane, and I am also going to back both players to bounce back at home.

Suggested Bets:

  • Scorchers to Win ($1.73)
  • Aaron Hardie Scorchers Top Runscorer ($3.50)
  • Jhye Richardson 2+ Wickets ($2.15)
Bet now: Scorchers vs Heat
Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars (7:30pm AEDT)
Same Game Multi

We’re set for a thrilling clash when the Renegades and Stars lock horns in another Melbourne Derby at Marvel Stadium!

Regardless of form, this is almost always an outstanding contest with both sides keen for bragging rights.

It has unfortunately been a largely forgettable season for the Renegades. They won’t play finals, they take their place in this clash locked to the bottom of the ladder, and to add insult to injury, Quinton de Kock is also gone.

The Stars have returned several pleasing efforts, meanwhile, and they are well and truly in the framework for a Finals berth. They simply need to win this clash, and I think they will do so.

Same Game Multi

  • Stars to Win – $1.65
  • Jake Fraser-McGurk Renegades Top Runscorer – $4.50
  • Scott Boland 2+ Wickets – $2.02
  • Total: $10.05
Bet now: Renegades vs Stars

Friday January 12th

Jared Timms
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder
Same Game Multi

The Sixers can all but confirm the end of crosstown rivals’ the Thunder’s season by winning this Friday night clash at the SCG.

The Sixers have been a typically dangerous force this season, and barring a few abandonments and unlucky Duckworth-Lewis results, they could be leading thew comp. Having returned to winning form against the Stars on Saturday, they’re primed for another big showing.

The Thunder really haven’t found any consistency in what has proven to be another frustrating season. They’ve often been in the contest but lack the ability to close out a match and frankly, the end of the campaign probably cannot arrive quickly enough.

I’m skewing my bets in favour of the Sixers tonight in a Same Game Multi.

Same Game Multi

  • Sixers to Win – $1.67
  • Moises Henriques 20+ Runs – $1.60
  • Ben Dwarshuis 2+ Wickets – $2.05
  • Total: $5.87
Bet now: Sixers vs Thunder

Thursday January 11th

Jared Timms
Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers
Suggested Bets Below

A return leg of Tuesday night’s clash sees the Hurricanes and Strikers do battle again, this time in Hobart!

The ‘Canes were all but gone when slumping to 6/60-odd on Tuesday night, but an exceptional showing from the likes of Ben McDermott and Chris Jordan ultimately saw them to a respectable 7/165.

That being said, the Strikers did manage to hunt down the target, but lost five wickets in the process and did need almost the entire 20 overs to do so.

Other than the first half of their batting innings, the Hurricanes have been playing rather well and consistently recently, and I am happy to put a line through that early effort.

With that in mind, I’m backing the Hurricanes to bounce back tonight, but I am also going to stick with Matt Short who has arguably found career-best form, and who did the job for us on Tuesday.

Suggested Bets

  • Hurricanes to Win ($2.10)
  • Matt Short Strikers Top Runscorer ($3.50)
Bet now: Hurricanes vs Strikers

Wednesday January 10th

Jared Timms
Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers
Suggested Bets Below

Just can’t wait for this one!

It’s a top of the table clash when the undefeated Brisbane Heat take on reigning BBL Champions, the Perth Scorchers at the Gabba on Wednesday night, and this could very well be a preview of this season’s decider.

While they’ve clearly been one of the league’s standouts, the Heat are also lucky not to have suffered a defeat, having benefited from two washouts and a couple of tight Duckworth-Lewis results, but a win here would more than cement them as the team to beat.

The Scorchers bounced back from a rare loss with an easy win over the Sydney Thunder on Monday night. In my opinion, they boast the most complete team in BBL13, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them remain undefeated for the remainder of the season.

Suggested Bets

  • Same Game Multi – Scorchers to Win & Hardie 20+ Runs ($2.41)
  • Xavier Bartlett 2+ Wickets ($1.98)
Bet now: Heat vs Scorchers

Tuesday January 9th

Jared Timms
Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes
Suggested Bets Below

A potentially vital win awaits either the Adelaide Strikers or the Hobart Hurricanes when they clash at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday night.

Both sides have shown small glimpses of a Championship-worthy side during BBL13, but inconsistency has ultimately seen them into fifth (Hurricanes) and sixth (Strikers) on the ladder respectively leading into this match.

The Strikers snapped a four-game losing streak with a very impressive performance and win over the always dangerous Scorchers on Friday night, and they’ll take deserved momentum into this as a result.

The Hurricanes meanwhile have won two of their last three matches and were denied by a solitary run in their rain-shortened match with the Heat on Sunday.

I have nothing between these two sides head-to-head, and I therefore believe that the value lies in backing the Hurricanes to win as outsiders.

Suggested Bets

  • Hurricanes to Win ($2)
  • Matt Short Strikers Top Runscorer ($3.50)
  • Chris Jordan 2+ Wickets ($2.50)
Bet now: Strikers vs Hurricanes