The Hobart Hurricanes have been dealt a shot at redemption, facing off against the Adelaide Strikers for a second time in as many games, with an opportunity to even up the ledger in front of the local Blundstone Arena crowd.
With Finals on the cards for both sides, a win here would prove telling in the makeup of the top four, so buckle up for a mouth-watering contest that is set to breathe new life into one of the two competing teams, as the title race narrows.
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BBL 13 Hurricanes vs Strikers Betting Tips
Blundstone Arena, Thursday 11th January, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Hobart Hurricanes
With days to forget their last over loss to the Strikers, a change of scenery might just be what the doctor ordered for the Hurricanes, who face-off against the Jason Gillespie run side for a second consecutive outing.
Courteous of the strange fixturing, Blundstone Arena is set to play host this time around, as the Cane Train heads home with hopes of getting rolling towards a finals stop, in a season that hinges on backend success.
If we cast our mind back to Tuesday, the Hurricanes’ fans despite not walking away with the points, can hold their heads high with a positive takeaway or two in mind, starting with the
form of right-handed opener, Ben McDermott. His lone hand of 95 not out off 61 rocks, was just as breathtaking as it was captivating, sending the white kookaburra flying to all parts of Adelaide Oval, in a knock that nearly willed his side over the line in the City of Churches.
As the season nears the pointy end, it sets a dangerous proposition for the rivals of McDermott, if he were to just start warming into the year, with his ball-hitting ability known and feared worldwide at the peak of its powers.
With the campaign hanging in the balance under captain Nathan Ellis, responsibility shifts to their stars firing and taking the ownness with bat in hand upon themselves, as the pressure mounts for the Hobart bred side to deliver a long-awaited title.
Predicted XI: Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott (wk), Mac Wright, Sam Hain, Corey Anderson, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Chris Jordan, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith
Adelaide Strikers
The welcomed return of Alex Carey strengthened the batting stocks of the Strikers, which proved pivotal in deciding the outcome in their last encounter, as the middle-to-late order were called upon with the game on the line.
After taking the reins in BBL13, captain Matt Short has been at his destructive best this tournament, posting video game numbers at the top of the order, after linking up with former Hurricane D’Arcy Short.
With the one-two punch of the left and right-handed pairing, the Strikers have been fortunate with the stick to set up a strong platform that allows the white ball expertise of Chris Lynn to flourish waiting in the wings at first drop.
The spin twins of Cameron Boyce and Lloyd Pope are expected to both take the park again, after a strong showing for the pair last outing yielded a trio of big-name wickets against the aforementioned Hurricanes side.
Predicted XI: Matt Short (c), D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Alex Carey (wk), Adam Hose,
Thomas Kelly, Jamie Overton, Henry Thornton, David Payne, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope
Match Prediction
Both teams sit delicately poised at the latter end of the campaign, with hopes of a finals berth fading fast.
The Strikers bowling front will yet again be tested, as it goes under the microscope in a do or die clash, with much of the focus targeted on Adelaide’s batting prowess, it’ll be their job with ball in hand where the trouble lies.
Same can be said for the front-line attack of the Hurricanes, who aside from Meredith and Ellis don’t pose as an intimidating task for the high calibre bats in the Strikers lineup, who’ll feast on the overs outside of the two quicks.
In saying that, I’m leaning towards a Hurricanes win…
Adelaide’s record on the road is ugly, losing each of its last nine matches as the travelling side.
Hobart Hurricanes to Win
$2.10 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Ben McDermott to score 20 runs
Tim David to hit a six
Cameron Boyce to take 1+ wicket
