Big Bash League Final Preview
Here we are! The Big Bash League Season 4 (BBL04) Final! It’s been an amazing season and now the nation’s capital will host the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers for the BBL04 title!
The Sixers were upset winners in the semi-finals, knocking off the top-seeded Adelaide Strikers in an emphatic performance. They built their largest-ever score on the back of Nic Maddinson and then bowled extremely well to defend it with ease.
If the Sixers have someone make a big score like that then they are tough to beat because their batsmen have all contributed this season. Lumb, Wessels, Henriques and Silk have all had moments where they have performed well, but few moments where they have all failed. Maddinson is the key though. We’ve touted him for higher honours for a long time, and he is capable of absolutely destroying the opposition. The key for him is to build an innings with maturity, play good cricket shots and save the explosive care-free hitting until he’s set.
The Sixers bowling and fielding has also been very good this season. Brett Lee has led from the front, but the inclusion of Nathan Lyon does make their spin options look very sound with Steve O’Keefe in support. Bollinger, Abbott and Henriques are all very experienced, so there’s no real weaknesses there.
Their season has been up and down. They shot out of the blocks, then had poor performances in the middle of the season, before a crazy last ball win against the Thunder in the final game of the regular season boosted their confidence for the semi-final. They appear to be peaking at the right time.
The Perth Scorchers have been to this position before, and they are the defending champions, but their team does have a different look to last year’s line up.
Unlike other teams which lost players to the national team at the end of the season, the Scorchers managed to add quality names in Shaun Marsh and Nathan Coulter-Nile to their line up to make a strong side even stronger just in time for finals. Marsh especially brings real class and depth to their batting. Klinger, Carberry and Voges have all had good seasons, while Turner has showed he can be powerful hitter. Their middle to lower order haven’t been tested with a big run chase.
Defending low totals has been their script with their bowling attack rated the best in the country. Behrendorff has been exceptional and well supported by Tye, Arafat and Hogg. Throw in Coulter-Nile and they are a devastating attack.
The Scorchers got over the talented Stars in a professional semi-final performance, and if they bring that discipline to the final they will be hard to beat. However it is a long way to travel from Perth to Canberra!
Last time they met, the Scorchers could only manage 135 with the bat, yet managed to defend it with relative ease as they dismissed the Sixers for just 99. The Sixers will want to be batting first and if they can post a big score they are a real chance of an upset.
There are no changes to the squads, with CA confirming that Mitchell Marsh won’t be released from the national squad to play for the Scorchers.
BBL04 Final
Wednesday January 28th - Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers – Manuka Oval, Canberra
Odds: Sydney Sixers ($2.10) vs Perth Scorchers ($1.72) at Sportsbet
Verdict: I think there is a little value in the Sixers in this match. It’s been one of those seasons where we need to expect the upset to happen. Sydney are riding high following their last two victories, and they dominated the Strikers in all facets who had only lost one game all season.
Whoever wins the toss has a great opportunity. The key will be to bat first and try to amass a big score. If the Sixers do that, I think they have a real chance. If Perth bat first and do the same, it’s going to be very tough against their bowling.
If there is any home ground advantage then it will also be with the Sixers.
We’ll tip the Sixers for an upset, but if you have already followed our preseason tip and you already have them at $9.00, then no need to commit further.
Betting
Overall: -2.01 units
Sydney Sixers (vs Perth Scorchers) @ $2.10 at Sportsbet (2 units)
Futures
Check out the link below for a full blog on the status of our Futures Bets, the sweats we have to finish the season as we're looking at a projected +40 units profit on the season.
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
