The BBL11 season is in full swing and night four sees an interesting double header take place, kicking off from 6.35pm with the Hobart Hurricanes taking on the Sydney Sixers. Straight after that, the Perth Scorchers will host the Brisbane Heat in the late game.
We’ll be focusing in on the Hurricanes-Sixers matchup for this preview, but if you want betting tips for any game in BBL11, be sure to head to our Cricket Tips page.
BBL11 Hurricanes vs Sixers Betting Tips
University of Tasmania Stadium, Wednesday 8th December, 6.35pm (AEDT)
Hobart Hurricanes
Predicted XI: Matthew Wade (c), D’Arcy Short, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Mac Wright, Tim David, Jordan Thompson, Nathan Ellis, Scott Boland, Riley Meridith, Sandeep Lamichhane
It’s been a relatively quiet off-season for the Hurricanes, who will run back largely the same core as last year. The big difference though, will be the availability of skipper Matthew Wade for what should be the entire BBL season. They also added a few solid internationals in Jordan Thompson and Harry Brook, the latter of which won’t be available on Wednesday night.
Ben McDermott will miss the first game of the season due to a finger injury and will likely be replaced in the batting line-up by Caleb Jewell. Spin bowling has been a slight issue for them over the past few years, but the Hurricanes will be hoping for continued improvement out Nepalese 21 year old Sandeep Lamichhane this season.
Sydney Sixers
Predicted XI: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Stephen O’Keefe,
The Sixers got their title defence off to a perfect start on Sunday night as they decimated the Stars to record the largest win in BBL history. As far as team news goes, I could really only see them making one of two moves ahead of the Wednesday night clash. Hayden Kerr bowled well on Sunday night but the Sixers will no doubt be awaiting the return of their BBL10 leading wicket taker Ben Dwarshuis. Whenever he is fit, I think he gets the automatic nod over Kerr.
With Henriques and Christian both medium pace options, the Sixers could also opt for the 2nd spinner instead of Kerr. They have both Lloyd Pope and Ben Manenti waiting in the wings should they make that call.
Update: Sean Abbott has been ruled out of the game through injury. Expect Hayden Kerr to keep his place in the team now and one of Dwarshuis, Bird, Pope or Manenti to take the place of Abbott.
Match Prediction
It’s hard not to like the Sixers after what we saw from them on Sunday night. They didn’t put a single foot wrong the whole game against the Stars, batting first and smashing 213 before rolling Melbourne for just 61. To be fair though, they were up against an extremely undermanned Stars outfit, and this contest away from home against one of the better sides on paper will certainly be a tougher test.
Originally I saw this game as a 50-50 down in Lainceston so I was happy to take the value in the Canes, but since the news came out that Ben McDermott would miss with a finger injury, I am tilting back towards the Sixers. They have a plethora of both pace and spin options so will likely be able to tailor their side to pitch once they get to Launceston and check out the wicket. Back them to win on the road and improve to 2-0.
Same Game Multi
In 39 BBL innings since 2007, D'Arcy has passed the 20 run mark in 65% of games, a very healthy clip, the highest of any batsman for the Hurricanes. His career average in the BBL is a tick over 40, but that number jumps to 46.0 in seven games against the Sixers. With Ben McDermott out of the line-up, Short will have extra responsibilty at the top of the order. Back him to have 20+ runs.
We are combining that leg with two safer legs in both James Vince to pass 10 runs and the Sydney Sixers to pass 140. Vince has passed 10 runs in 82% of his BBL innings over the course of his career while the Sixers cleared the 130 mark in 14/16 games last season, and easily did so on Sunday night against the Stars, smashing 213 off their 20 overs.
Short 20+ Runs
Vince 10+ Runs
Sixers 130+ Runs
HUR vs SIX Same Game Multi
$2.30
