The much-anticipated Big Bash League 2016/17 is finally upon us as we have our BBL06 Round 1 betting tips! It has been the most hyped buildup of any BBL yet and it all kicks off on Tuesday, December 20th with a huge Sydney Derby between the Thunder and Sixers. That’s just the first of four games in Round 1, see our full round preview and betting tips below.
BBL06 Round 1 Betting Tips
Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers (Tuesday 20th, 7.40pm AEDT)
Last season’s premiers, the Sydney Thunder take on their cross-town rival Sixers in what has become the customary BBL opening night fixture. As it will be with all round one matches, the form and performance of both teams is a massive toss up, as we have very limited information to go by.
If we are to go by last year’s results, the Sixers, who finished bottom of the table, would have no hope against the reigning champs. However, they have made some moves in the offseason, acquiring the talents of recent Test call up Joe Mennie, as well as exciting English youngster Sam Billings.
The Thunder will go into the season with a somewhat revamped side, veterans Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis leave the side, however, I think this may be a blessing in disguise for the Thunder as their production was beginning to wane with age. This will open the door for Aiden Blizzard, Ben Rohrer, Shane Watson and the explosive Andre Russell to all player a much bigger role.
The Sixers are in the enviable but also frustrating position of boasting the full Australian Test bowling line-up, which I think makes them competitive with any team in the comp when playing. However, all of Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird and Nathan Lyon will miss the match on Tuesday night due to international duty. The Thunder on the other hand will only need to replace BBL05 finals hero Usman Khawaja, a much easier prospect for selectors.
TIP: Sydney Thunder to Win - $1.81 at Sportsbet
Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat (Wednesday 21st, 7.40pm AEDT)
One of my personal favorites to win it all, the Adelaide Strikers come up against the Heat at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. While I think it’s going to be the Strikers, it seems that there might be only room for one of these two teams to be in finals contention this year. With the inevitable success of the Stars and Scorchers paired with what many think is a great Renegades list, the 4th position might be up for grabs between these two teams.
They both boast similar type rosters, very strong in the batting department with the likes of Brad Hodge, Travis Head, Ben Dunk and Kieron Pollard for the Strikers and Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum and Ben Cutting for the Heat. Neither roster has players who are likely to miss significant time due to international duty, which is their greatest asset. I just think the Strikers bat a little bit deeper and have a bit more consistency in their bowling with the likes of Pollard, Kane Richardson and Ben Laughlin. I like the Strikers to win this one with the added advantage of them being at home.
TIP: Adelaide Strikers to Win - $1.79 at Sportsbet
Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder (Thursday 22nd, 7.40pm AEDT)
Much of the Renegades success this year will be dependant on the types of pitches the Etihad Stadium curator can produce. Boasting arguably the two best spinners in the comp in Sunil Narine and Brad Hogg, if the Renegades can produce pitches to maximize their strengths, they should go far in this competition. They come up against the reigning champion Sydney Thunder on Thursday night, who will most likely be without their star batsman of last season Usman Khawaja due to international duty.
That looks to be the only unavailability for the Thunder, while the Renegades will also be missing one player in Matthew Wade due to Aussie duties. The Thunder have an outstanding bowling attack, spearheaded by Pat Cummins, they also have T20 veteran Clint McKay and Big Bash specialist Gurinder Sandhu. If the Renegades do produce a spin friendly wicket, don’t discredit Fawad Ahmed's ability to turn this match on its head, also. I think Sydney have a more well-rounded team and wouldn’t be surprised if they snatched this one as underdogs away from home to go 2-0.
TIP: Sydney Thunder to Win - $2 at Sportsbet
Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes (Friday 23rd, 6.10pm AEDT)
This looks like it could be shaping up as the battle for the wooden spoon the way the bookmakers have it at the moment. While I appreciate the talent the Sixers have on their roster, there’s just too much inconsistency there due to international duty for me. The Hurricanes on the other hand, boast a very stable lineup and I think the bookmakers disrespect of them is a bit of an oversight. Any team that can flaunt a bloke who averaged almost 60 in his test career in Kumar Sangakkara, as well as one of Australia's most fierce foes in English quick Stuart Broad, is capable of accomplishing anything.
Combine those two with one of the best all-rounders of BBL05 in Dan Christian, and sprinkle in some Tim Paine, George Bailey and the menacing Shaun Tait and you have a recipe for finals BBL cricket, if they can all get on the same page, that is. Although they’ll be on the road to open their BBL06 campaign, I like the Hurricanes to take this one against the Sixers who will likely once again have their 2nd XI bowling unit playing.
TIP: Hobart Hurricanes to Win - $2 at Sportsbet
