Welcome to the New Year and Round 5 of the Big Bash League. The BBL05 has delivered so far with huge crowds, great ratings and some sensational matches. The Travis Head innings was nothing short of epic to get the Strikers home against the Sixers on New Year’s Eve. What a way to end the year!
Our best bet of Round 4, the Scorchers to beat the Renegades, got home to give us a perfect record for our best bets this season. At the time of writing we’re 7-3 with +7.65 units of profit for the season which is pretty solid. Hopefully we can continue that throughout the remainder of the BBL05 season as we continue offering Big Bash betting tips!
BBL05 Overall Profit/Loss: +6.77 units (9-5) (updated 5th Jan)
BBL05 Round 5 Preview & Betting Tips
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers
WACA, Saturday January 2nd 9:15pm AEDST
The first match of Round 5 is the second match of a big double header on Saturday with the Scorchers hosting the Sixers.
The Scorchers had a scare when Gayle and Finch launched early, but their disciplined bowling unit clawed it back to a respectable total which Michael Klinger and Shaun Marsh chased down with authority. They didn’t lose a wicket to firm in the outright winner betting markets.
The Scorchers have named an unchanged squad and with strength in all departments, it’s going to be a huge ask for a depleted Sixers outfit.
The injury to skipper Moises Henriques was felt when the Sixers had virtually no option than to bowl Sean Abbott at the death against a rampaging Travis Head. The Sixers should’ve won that game, but they didn’t have any additional bowling options to change things up and Abbott was demolished. It’s a loss that will probably haunt them in the back-end of the season.
They now face the defending champs with Brad Haddin also ruled out with a groin injury. Off spinner Will Sommerville has been added to the squad while Steve O’Keefe is on international duty which means the Sixers will be blooding one of Sommerville, Charlie Wakim or Riley Ayre in this match – hardly the stuff that’s going to worry their opponents!
Ed Cowan came in and did a good job at the top of the order, but there are weaknesses in all departments that seem impossible to overcome for the Sixers.
Odds: Perth Scorchers ($1.44) vs Sydney Sixers ($2.75) at Bet365
Verdict: Comprehensive win expected for the Scorchers. There’s not a heap of value in the price but Bet365 have a better price that the other books, and a good promotion that will give you a free $100 bet in-play, so that looks a good play for this match. I would prefer to take this price/promotion in this instance to give us max $ for the short odds, especially since Perth are a traditionally defensive team when it comes to trying to reach over 150/160 runs for money back offers.
Bet: Perth Scorchers to win at $1.44 at Bet365 with free in-play bet promotion – 3 units
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder
Gabba, Sunday January 3rd 7:10pm AEDST
The luckless Heat will host the Thunder on Sunday night as they chase their first victory of the season. It’s been the Chris Lynn show in Brisbane with their skipper leading from the front with an epic hundred against the Hurricanes, but he’s just had zero support from his teammates. The one shining light was youngster Sam Heazlett who looked really impressive on debut. Reardon, Pierson, Cutting, Floros and import Lendl Simmons simply have to do more if they are going to pick up some wins this season.
The Thunder lost their first match of the season against the Hurricanes in Hobart on New Year’s Day. They were in the match for most of the way but lost late wickets in a hurry to fall 11 runs short in their chase. Mike Hussey was again brilliant as he motors his way through this season, while their bowling executed fairly well against a dangerous Hurricanes outfit. The Thunder will be keen to get the momentum back against the bottom-placed Heat here.
Odds: Brisbane Heat ($2.40) vs Sydney Thunder ($1.57) at Sportsbet
Verdict: As it stands right now, it’s top versus bottom on the ladder, but to me, it looms as a danger game for the Thunder. They are coming off a loss, so you would hope they can rebound, but the Heat are now in a position where they have nothing to lose. Their season is as good as over, and at the Gabba, they are always competitive. A real chance of an upset here, so I think I’ll be sitting out.
Bet: NO PLAY
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades
Blundstone Arena, Monday January 4th 7:40pm AEDST
The Hurricanes are building up a bit of a storm with three wins on the trot including a vital win against the previously-undefeated Thunder.
The Hurricanes have a super strong batting line up, but it was with the ball where the improvement came against the Thunder. After setting a decent target with George Bailey leading the way, it was the “Wild Thing” Shaun Tait, along with Jake Reed, who tore through a talented Thunder batting line up to claim a close victory. Cameron Boyce also continues to be a key player with his leg spin as good as any in the country at the moment.
They are now eyeing off a finals berth and come into this match as favourites, meaning that they will be very keen to ensure they stay ahead of the pack with another win here.
It’s polar opposites with the Renegades. After winning their first match, the Gades have dropped their last three including a disappointing loss against the Stars in front of 80,000 fans at the MCG on Sunday. Their batting just didn’t fire, and the season we have seen that they just don’t have the bowling strength to defend totals. Chris Tremain has shown some fire, but the rest of their attack lacks any strike power.
The problem for the Gades is that they are going to have the same problem trying to control the Hurricanes powerful batting on their home turf.
Odds: Hobart Hurricanes ($1.76) vs Melbourne Renegades ($2.07) at Sportsbet
Verdict: This is a battle of two strong batting line ups that should produce a high-scoring match, which is great for the money-back promos on offer. I think the Hurricanes have a better bowling line up that are now starting to gel nicely, and as long as they can avoid some heroics from Gayle or Finch, they should be able to reduce the Gades to a score that they can beat.
Bet: Hobart Hurricanes to win at $1.76 at Sportsbet with money back promotion – 2 units
Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers
Adelaide Oval, Tuesday January 5th 7:10pm AEDST
The final match of the round shapes to be a classic as the Strikers host the Scorchers at the Adelaide Oval. Another massive crowd is expected to attend and this match should deliver an exciting contest.
The Scorchers are starting to purr along in this competition with three wins in succession to see them climb to the top of the ladder. In fact their only loss this season was to the Strikers at home in their opening game. You feel that the Strikers caught the Scorchers before they had really warmed up in that game, and things might be a little bit different this time around.
The Scorchers have demolished the Renegades and the Sixers in the last two matches. Sure, the opposition wasn’t the strongest, but the Scorchers did it in style, losing only one wicket in the two matches as Michael Klinger and Shaun Marsh led from the front with some imposing batting.
However it’s with the ball where the Scorchers really shine. After it looked like the Renegades were about to launch a massive score, the Scorchers were able to pull it back to something they could chase. They then followed that up by restricting the Sixers to a paltry 112. Joel Paris, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, David Willey and Brad Hogg form the best bowling line up in the country. Paris has been called up to the national ODI squad but will be available for this match.
The Strikers will form a fierce opponent, fresh off a confidence-boosting win over the Sixers. All looked lost when they needed 51 runs off the last 18 balls, but Travis Head scored 55 off his own bat in the next 15 balls to score an incredible hundred and blast the Strikers to one of the great BBL victories of all time. The platform was launched by a good start from Tim Ludeman and Craig Simmons at the top of the order which is something the Strikers have lacked this season.
Their bowling is reliant on Ben Laughlin and Adil Rasheed, and they will need more contributions from Kane Richardson and Jon Holland in support to subdue the strong Scorchers batting. Richardson has also been called up to the Australian ODI side, so this is a vital match for their finals chances.
Odds: Adelaide Strikers ($2.00) vs Perth Scorchers ($1.80) at Bet365
Verdict: Both teams on the cusp of securing a finals berth, but a loss will put pressure on them in the final matches of the season. The Scorchers are an improved side compared to their opening match of the season, and are firing in all departments at the moment. The books have them pretty close, but a Strikers win would be a fair upset in my eyes. Happy to back the Scorchers at the price. We’ll play at Bet365 with the free bet promotion once again, but if you think they can get to 150/160 runs then you can play with one of the other money back promotions.
Bet: Perth Scorchers to win at $1.80 at Bet365 with free in-play bet promotion – 1 unit
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!
