Game two of a Friday Big Bash double header sees the Thunder travel out west to take on the in-form Scorchers. Both teams have started the season strong and will be out to cement their place in the top four. Jack Tobin offers a full match preview and betting tips below!
BBL14 Scorchers vs Thunder Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Friday 3rd January, 9:15pm AEDT
Perth Scorchers
Predicted XI: Matthew Hurst, Finn Allen, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, Ashton Turner, Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris
The Scorchers were magnificent on New Year’s Eve against the Adelaide Strikers, producing a dominant performance to run out seven wicket winners. The Scorchers reduced the Strikers to 8/58 as Jhye Richardson (3/29), Jason Behrendorff (2/14) and Lance Morris (2/19) caused early havoc.
Although the Strikers finished 8/142, their batting group made light work of the chase, getting to the target after 14.3 overs. After a horror start to the tournament, import Finn Allen finally got going as he smashed 50 off 23 to break the game wide open. Tournament leading run scorer Cooper Connolly continue his hot form with an unbeaten 48, while skipper Ashton Turner finished with 35* off 18.
After dropping two games early in the tournament to fall to 1-2, the Scorchers have won back-to-back games to move into second place. The five-time champions are once again in a position to contend for the title, but still have plenty of upside given they haven’t played their best to start the tournament. A scary prospect for opposing teams.
Sydney Thunder
Predicted XI: Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, Sherfane Rutherford, Ollie Davies, Sam Billings, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Daniel Sams, Tom Andrews, Lockie Ferguson, Wes Agar
A brilliant knock from David Warner, paired with a quality bowling performance, have the Thunder a crucial win that saw them move to third on the table with a 3-1 record. The eight-run win was built by David Warner who scored 86 of the Thunder’s 156 runs. Matthew Gilkes (23) was the only other batter to score over 15 runs.
The Thunder’s average performance with the bat was made up for by their bowling group, who proved to be the difference in the game. Wes Agar (4/32), Daniel Sams (2/26) and Chris Green (1/23) restricted the Renegades to 8/148 to secure a vital win.
Wes Agar has taken 7 wickets in two games to fly into the top five wicket takers in the tournament. The new signing has provided some much-needed pace to the Thunder’s bowling attack, and gives the Thunder a quality death bowler who can close out games.
Match Prediction
The Scorchers have been an absolute force at across the last two seasons having won eleven of their last thirteen games at Optus Stadium. The Scorchers have won their last two games against the Sydney Thunder, and they will be in the second place with a win over the Thunder.
The Scorchers have dominated in games played with great batting conditions, and this should be no different. If the Scorchers quality bowling attack can limit David Warner and Sam Billings, they will win comfortably. The Scorchers will continue their strong form and hold onto second place.
Perth Scorchers to Win
$1.68 (2 Units)
Prop Bet
Young gun Cooper Connolly has relished the move up the order to number three, being the leading run scorer in BBL14. Connolly has scored 229 runs at an average of 57.25 in five games. Connolly has scores of 64, 14, 66, 37 and 14. Take him to top the runs for the Scorchers in this one.
Connolly Top Scorchers Run Scorer
$4.40
