2018-19 Big Bash League (BBL08): Round 6 Preview & Betting Tips

The Saturday, January 5th double header in BBL08 splits rounds five and six as the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder get things underway from 6.15pm. Later in the night, the Perth Scorchers will be taking on the Brisbane Heat at Perth Stadium from 9.15pm, which is where our Round 6 betting tips get underway! 

BBL08 Round 6 Betting Tips

Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat (Saturday 5th Jan 9.15pm AEDT)

The most successful team in Big Bash League history, the Perth Scorchers, have had a shocking start to their BBL08 campaign. They currently sit in second last place on the ladder with just one win from five games but will be back at home on Saturday night, where they have played just once this season, resulting in their only win. Their bowling unit was fantastic in that win, rolling the Adelaide strikers for just 88 runs and going on to chase down the measly total in just 18 overs. 

The Scorchers will be up against the only team lower than them on the ladder, the Brisbane Heat. Granted, after a bye round, the Heat have only played three games and will have two matches in Round 6 to make some ground on the rest of the competition, however, their start to the season has left a lot to be desired. Chris Lynn came to life in the Heat’s last matchup against the Sixers, smashing 84 off just 55 balls, however, the superstar had minimal help as the Heat compiled just 164 off their 20 overs. The Sixers were able to chase the total with three balls to spare to send Brisbane to 0-3 on the season. 

It’s hard to like either of these two teams form at the moment, however, we have to give the slight edge to the Scorchers. Regardless of how they have started the season, their five-pronged pace attack makes them incredibly tough to beat on the fast and bouncy Perth Stadium wicket. Mitch Marsh will be back in the lineup for the Scorchers after being dropped from the Test team and should add valuable batting depth. 

Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Sixers (Sunday 6th Jan 7.15pm AEDT)

After two loses in a row to the Renegades and Scorchers, the Adelaide Strikers have bounced back to win their last two games on the trot against the Thunder and Renegades respectively. Jake Weatherald was fantastic in the win over Melbourne, compiling 71 runs off just 41 balls to lead the Strikers to a total pf 158. Rashid Khan then did what he does best, claiming 1 wicket for just 18 runs off his four overs at an economy rate of just 4.50rpo. Quicks Michael Neser and Billy Stanlake were also fantastic, claiming four wickets between them and going for just 37 runs off 7 combined overs to help Adelaide secure the win. 

With the win, the Strikers move to second on the BBL08 table with three wins from five games and will be taking on another team with three wins on Sunday night, the Sydney Sixers. The Sixers travelled to Hobary in their sixth match of the season and heartbreaking lost on the second last ball of the night to the Hurricanes. After Daniel Hughes compiled 61 off 40 balls and the Sixers set a total of 161, their bowlers couldn’t get the job done, particularly Spinner Steve O’Keefe, who had an economy rate of 10 off his four overs. 

The Strikers will be back home for this clash, where there are 1-1 so far this season. Rashid Khan was in fantastic form against the Renegades in their last game and with him bowling well, it’s hard to see the Strikers losing at home. At just $1.62, we think there is just enough meat left on the bone to back the home side. 

Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes (Monday 7th Jan 7.15pm AEDT)

With a win over the Sixers on Monday night, the Hobart Hurricanes remain the only undefeated team in the BBL at 5-0 on the season. Led by star opening batsmen D’Arcy Short and Matthew Wade, the Hurricanes have been fantastic throughout the season. The pair currently sit 1st and 4th on the list of BBL leading run scorers, with veteran George Bailey not far behind having played some crucial match winning innings. 

The Renegades have looked like the best and the worst team in the league at times throughout BBL08. They kicked off the season with great wins over the Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers but have since lost their last three games in a row to the Sixers, Stars and Strikers respectively. The Renegades batting lineup has been a massive issue, particularly their top four, who are yet to make a fifty between them. Aaron Finch will return for the Renegades here, which should serve as a big help to their top order. 

Although the Hobart bowling line-up leaves a little to be desired, their batting line-up is unquestionable at the moment. One thing that we learned from the first match at Marvel Stadium is that the wicket plays quite low and slow and it is incredibly hard to hit boundaries. The Hobart batting line-up is more creative and should be able to dictate.