After 43 games, we are now at the apex of BBL14, as the Hobart Hurricanes host the Sydney Thunder in The Final. Can the Hurricanes win their first ever title? Or will the Thunder continue their hot form? Jack Tobin has you covered with a full match preview, best bet, and prop bet below!
BBL14 The Final Betting Tips
Ninja Stadium, Monday 27th January, 7:15pm AEDT
Hobart Hurricanes
Predicted XI: Mitch Owen, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Gannon, Riley Meredith, Peter Hatzoglou
The Hurricanes booked their ticket to the BBL14 Final with an excellent all-around performance in the Qualifier against the Sixers. Mitch Owen set the tone early on a slow batting surface with a brutal 36 off 15. Ben McDermott (42 off 31) and Tim David (25 off 10) produced some late fireworks to get the Hurricanes to 7/173.
Riley Meredith proceeded to light up the Sixers top order, taking two early wickets to have the Sixers ⅗. In just his second game this season, Cameron Gannon was excellent with 2/10 off 3, while Chris Jordan closed out the game excellently, conceding just 16 runs across the 18th and 20th overs. With Jordan and Nathan Ellis, the Thunder have had two of the best death bowlers in the competition, who have been a huge reason why they are hosting the Final.
Mitch Owen is a massive factor for the Hurricanes in this clash, given the way the surface in Hobart has played this season. Scoring after the powerplay is difficult, so Owen needs to produce like he did in the Qualifier, and has done all season long. Owen has scored 344 runs at an average of 38.22, at an incredible strike rate of 191.11.
Sydney Thunder
Predicted XI: David Warner, Jason Sangha, Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings, Hugh Weibgen, Chris Green, George Garton, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Wes Agar, Tanveer Sangha
The Thunder have gone the long way to get to the Final, but they are here and full of momentum. They defended 137 in the Eliminator against the Stars, before chasing down 152 against their crosstown rivals the Sixers in the Challenger to book their place in Monday’s Final. The Thunder have won their last three completed games, and are full of momentum.
Sam Billings produced a crucial knock to guide the Thunder home against the Sixers, scoring an unbeaten 42 off 29 deliveries. Many of his inexperienced teammates panicked under the pressure of a big final, but Billings played a composed knock to ensure the Thunder were always in front.
It’s been an even spread with the ball for the Thunder this season. Chris Green (12 wickets), Wes Agar (11 wickets) and Tom Andrews (10 wickets) have played crucial roles as the Thunder consistently restrict teams to chase able totals. The spin trio of Green, Andrews and Tanveer Sangha will be a massive factor for the Thunder, who will be in the hunt if their spinners perform.
Match Prediction
The Hurricanes and Thunder have opposing records in BBL deciders, so the home team will have to rewrite history to claim the title on Monday. The Hurricanes are 0-2 in the Final, losing in BBL03 and BBL07. Riley Meredith, Ben McDermott and Matthew Wade were the only players to feature in the BBL07 Final.
The Thunder are 1-0 in the BBL Final, winning the BBL05 decider against the Stars. Chris Green was the only current Thunder player to feature in the franchise’s only title.
All three of those finals were a long time ago and will have no influence on Monday’s result. The Hurricanes are 6-0 at home this season, including a comprehensive six wicket win over the Thunder on the 10th of January. The Hurricanes have won 8 of their 11 games this season and have been the best side in the competition all the way through. They have balance across the entire eleven, and don’t rely on brilliant individual performances to win them games.
The Hurricanes have had the wood over the Thunder, winning five of the last seven games between the two sides, and they will pick up their first ever title on Monday night.
Hobart Hurricanes to Win
$1.65 (2 Units)
Prop Bet
Riley Meredith was man of the match in the Qualifier, with a rapid spell that broke the game open. He comes into the Final with 13 wickets in BBL14, ranked seventh in the competition. Meredith has taken 11 wickets against the Thunder, and has figures of 2/30, 0/31, 2/14, 2/49 and 3/29 in his last five games against the Thunder.
Riley Meredith – Hurricanes Top Bowler
$4.00
