The Big Bash League season continues Tuesday night as the Strikers host the Scorchers at Adelaide Oval from 7.15pm. We are back with another preview and betting tips for the clash below.
BBL14 Strikers vs Scorchers Betting Tips
Adelaide Oval, Tuesday 31st December, 7.15pm (AEDT)
Strikers
The Strikers have had a rough start to the season, going 1-3 through their opening four games to sit in second last place on the table. The Strikers have had one of the better batting units in the league so far this season, putting up scores of 182, 165, 174 and 203 in their four games. However, their bowling unit has been a let down to date.
It’s unclear whether Jake Weatherald will fit to play after suffering a back that has kept him out of the last two Strikers games. His absence actually relieves what would be a tough selection call for the Strikers, whose batting unit is absolutely staked form top to bottom, especially with the recent inclusion of English international Ollie Pope. Expecting them to be unchanged for this clash.
Predicted XI: Matt Short, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Ollie Pope, Alex Ross, Jamie Overton, James Bazley, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope
Scorchers
The Scorchers are 2-2 to start the season, snapping a two game losing streak on Thursday night with a comfortable win over the Brisbane Heat at home. Batting first, the Scorchers put up 6/165 off their 20 overs, lead by youngster Nick Hobson who smashed 47 off just 16 balls while Cooper Connolly continued his impressive season with 37 off 37.
As is usually the case for the Scorchers, the experienced seam attack led by Jason Behrendorff (2/32) and Andrew Tye (2/23) led the way as bowled the head out for just 132 in reply to chalk up win No.2 of the season.
Predicted XI: Finn Allen, Matthew Hurst, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris
Prediction
I think the Strikers have been largely unlucky to be 1-3 at this point in the season. Two of their three losses have gone down to the final few balls of the match, both of which saw Adelaide in fantastic positions to win late in the game. If their bowling can just get a little more disciplined then they are right their with the best in the league, especially given how dominant their batting unit looks at the moment.
The Strikers are one of the few teams in the league that can claim a head to head record anywhere near 50% against the Scorchers, having won 12 of their 25 matches over the course of BBL. They are 42-30 at home and I like them as home underdogs here.
Strikers to win
$2.02 (1.5 Units)
Player Prop
D'Arcy Short was dismissed cheaply in the Strikers last game but was impressive in the innings before that, smashing 60 off 42 balls in the win over the Stars. He has a stellar record at Adelaide Oval, having played 11 career games there for 470 runs at a very healthy average of 47.0.
His record against the Scorchers is also strong, having scored 427 runs at an aveage of 32.8 in 14 career games. Back him to top score for the Strikers on Tuesday night.
D. Short Top STR Runscorer
$4.40
