The 2017-18 KFC Big Bash League regular season is now in the books and the first of two huge semi finals gets underway this Thursday night from 7.40pm. For the second year in a row, the Perth Scorchers finished on top of the BBL table and earnt the right to host the semi final, and the final should they make it. They’ll face off against the Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday night, who finished the season in fourth place. We break down the game and give our betting tips below.
The Hurricanes return to the BBL finals after three years of missing out. Their stellar season featured a five game winning streak over the Christmas period, highly on the back of a dominant performance by opening batsman D’Arcy Short, who topped the BBL run scorers table with a whopping 504 runs through 10 matches.
The Hurricanes will be without Short for their first semi though, as the hard hitting left hander was selected to represent Australia in the upcoming T20 Tri-Series with England and New Zealand. It’s the only exclusion the Hurricanes will have to deal with in the lead up to the semi, but a player with Short’s match winning ability will be extremely hard to replace. Tim Paine will be a valuable inclusion for the Hurricanes, and should slot straight into the team for Short.
Perth fans will be extremely happy about securing a home final this season, as they now get to showcase their brand new, Optus Stadium, which was used on Sunday in the 5th and final ODI between Australia and England. From limited exposure, the pitch looks to be similar to that of the WACA, fast and bouncy but still offering plenty for the batsmen.
The Scorchers spirits will be lifted even further as they welcome back a host of international players in Mitch and Shaun Marsh along with Jhye Richardson for the clash. Ashton Agar will be out of the side after being picked in the Australian ODI squad, which could mean the Scorchers go in with an all-pace attack of Richardson, Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Tim Bresnan and Matthew Kelly.
All signs point to a Scorchers win here. Not only are they at home and bolstered by some massive inclusions, the oppositions best player is on the sidelines. The Scorchers have won their last six games against the Hurricanes and while it might be a new stadium, Perth is the one of the toughest places to play cricket in the world. We think so much rests on the shoulders of a few Hobart players here, while the Scorchers are stacked with match winners. Back the home side to get the job done at $1.57.
TIP: Perth Scorchers to win - $1.57 at Sportsbet
One of the shining lights for the Hurricanes this season, along with Short, has been the emergence of Jofra Archer. The Barbadian youngster has taken 15 wickets through his 10 games so far at a fairly tidy economy rate. If Hobart are any chance here, he’ll need to have a big game. Back him to be the Hurricanes top wicket-taker.
TIP: Jofra Archer most Hurricanes wickets - $3 at Sportsbet
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