The final round of the Big Bash season and the line up for the finals looks pretty clear cut with only 4th place up for grabs. The Stars have secured top spot, while the Scorchers and Sixers are competing for a home final, knowing they will play each other in the semis. The 4th finals spot will come down to the result in the Hurricanes/Heat match with the winner to progress. It brings back memories of last season, when the Heat did exactly that, defying the odds to then go on and win the title!
Hopefully a few of our future bets will also position themselves favourably this round with a few bets sitting on a knife’s edge. Hopefully you followed! Check out this blog post for full details of what we need to land!
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades (Wednesday 7:40pm AEDST)
The Strikers were extremely disappointing last round with two crucial losses that have effectively blown their finals hopes. The game against Perth was demoralizing after getting so close to a huge score, and it seemed they couldn’t mentally back up two days later, bowled out for just 97 against the Heat. On paper they are a talented side, but their consistency with both bat and ball has hurt them this season. They also seemed a much better team last season when their bowling emphasis was on spin rather than pace. Strikers will rue a season wasted.
The Renegades have also had a disappointing season after topping the table last year. Etihad Stadium hasn’t been the fortress they had hoped, and the over reliance on Aaron Finch has again been exposed when he is out of the side. Peter Siddle will likely play his first match in the red for the season.
Verdict: Strikers at home should get the win here at $1.66 at Sportsbet.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat (Thursday 7:40pm AEDST)
The match of the round with everything on the line. This should be a beauty!
The Hurricanes are somehow still in finals contention, despite only winning two games for the season. The washout against a rampant Strikers team in Round 1 has proven very handy. It’s been a battle with some inconsistent performances with the ball, while Paine and Dunk are the only batsmen to show any form with the bat. Dunk has been a revelation this season and hopefully the BBL will launch his career to the next level in other forms of the game.
However the Heat are starting to purr and I’m sure there’s a few teams that would rather not face them in the finals. Losing Dan Christian to the ODI team has hurt but Joe Burns has returned from injury to bolster the batting, while having Ryan Harris steaming in with the ball is a huge plus, although he won't be available for finals. Daniel Vettori has also been excellent, despite injury concerns, while Cameron Gannon is the competition leading wicket taker with 15.
Verdict: I feel that the Heat are a stronger team in far better form, and if they put their best together, they will be too strong for the Hurricanes.
Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers (Saturday 7:15pm AEDST)
The Sydney derby. The monkey is off the back of the Thunder after beating the Renegades, so now they can relax and simply go for it against the Sixers.
The Thunder have improved this season, and the leadership of Mike Hussey has been invaluable. Khawaja has been useful with the bat while Sandhu is leading the way with the ball. All they need is another experienced middle-order batsman for next season and they can push up the ladder a little.
The Sixers have performed very well this season, and if you consider they lost one match in a Super Over and their only other loss was to the Stars, then it’s been a pretty solid performance. Steve Smith has been a great addition to their middle order, however now that he’s in the national team, the Sixers will need more from their top order, specifically Nic Maddinson who continues to bat like a cavalier. Brett Lee has been rock solid with the ball while Josh Hazelwood has been rewarded for his season by being included in the international T20 squad.
Verdict: The Thunder won’t go down without a fight, but Sixers will want to do everything they can to secure a home final, knowing that the Scorchers have a tougher final round match. Expect the Sixers to win well. There is a market up already at Sportsbet for this match and happy to take the Sixers at $1.62. This match means too much for them to drop.
Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers (Monday 1:45pm AEDST)
It’s first versus second so this one will have a reach finals atmosphere attached to it. The Stars will be keen to continue their winning ways to gain a psychological edge over the Scorchers, in case they meet again in the finals.
The Stars have lost a number of players to the ODI team with Matthew Wade the latest to be called up, while Lasith Malinga has headed home to Sri Lanka, but they have a strong squad with the depth to cover. James Muirhead was an interesting selection in the national T20 squad during the week, with the leg spinner clearly identified as a player of the future.
The Scorchers have had a great season but this is a real test for them before the finals kick off. If they can win, they’ll secure a home final against the Sixers, but a loss will mean a trip to Sydney. So there’s plenty to play for. We’re looking for a big score from Simon Katich to get our leading run scorers bet home, but all the talk has been the incredible innings by Craig Simmons. We mentioned a few weeks back that we liked seeing him open the batting, and how he’s elevated himself from grade cricketer to a smokie for an IPL contract. Throw in Adam Voges and Mitch Marsh and suddenly the batting looks more solid. The Scorchers bowling has always been their strength, however Yasir Arafat has suffered an injury to his thumb that requires surgery so he’s out for the rest of the tournament which is an enormous blow.
Verdict: This will be a great match, but can the Scorchers hold their nerve on the MCG against the undefeated Stars. The Stars don't have anything to gain from this match, but they'll want to remain undefeated and should be too tough with Arafat a huge out for the Scorchers. No odds are available yet for this match, but if the Stars are shorter than $1.50 then this is probably a no bet match.
T20 Team of The Year
There’s been some talk about the Team of the Year for this season’s Big Bash so I thought I’d throw together my best 12:
Aaron Finch (Renegades)
Luke Wright (Stars)
Mike Hussey (Thunder)
Simon Katich (Scorchers)
Chris Lynn (Heat)
Glenn Maxwell (Stars)
Ben Dunk (wk) (Hurricanes)
Daniel Vettori (Heat)
Cameron Gannon (Heat)
Yasir Arafat (Scorchers)
Jackson Bird (Stars)
Cameron White (12th) (Stars)
I couldn’t squeeze in anyone from the Strikers or Sixers, but those close were Steve Smith (Sixers), Josh Hazelwood (Sixers) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (Scorchers). I think the biggest controversy in my team is that I’ve selected Ben Dunk as the wicketkeeper. He didn’t keep at all during the Big Bash but he’s actually a keeper, and I feel that it would be better to include him as a keeper than choose another keeper who didn’t perform to the same level as those chosen in this team.
Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter.
Take note: The above tips are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always bet responsibly. Happy punting!
