After a rare day off from the Big Bash League for the 1st One Day International on Sunday, Round 8 of BBL07 kicks off on Monday in Hobart with the Hurricanes hosting the Heat. It’s an important round for both teams as they both play twice, which could make or break their finals aspirations. The Scorchers, Strikers and Renegades look secure at the top of the table, but that fourth spot is still up for grabs.
Let’s take a look at what’s in store for us this week with our BBL07 Round 8 Preview and Betting Tips!
Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat (Blundstone Arena, Monday 7:40pm AEDT)
A rematch of their game just last week which saw the Hurricanes emerge successful over the Heat by a narrow margin in a high-scoring affair. The Hurricanes posted 179 and then held on to defend that total and get home by just three runs.
Of course the Heat were missing power-hitter Chris Lynn, who is out with a calf strain, which is a huge hole in their lineup. The Heat are very reliant on skipper Brendon McCullum at the top of the order, and while Joe Burns has been useful, and Sam Heazlett top-scored opening the batting, there isn’t a lot of depth after that. Yasir Shah has proven to be a valuable recruit with the ball, while Mitch Swepson is doing a good job of pushing them through just short of a length to restrict batsmen without giving the ball too much air.
The Hurricanes are the form team of the competition at the moment with four wins in a row – something they haven’t done in the BBL since the inaugural season. The T20 format really is about individual brilliance and the Hobart team is the perfect example of that. D’Arcy Short has been a revelation at the top of the order with over 400 runs scored to lead the competition. His record-breaking 122 off 69 balls against the Heat was sublime and he’s now knocking on the door of international selection. The other shining light for Hobart has been Jofra Archer who is arguably the recruit of the year. The rest of the Hurricanes haven’t had to do that much, which has pros and cons. If Short fails with the bat, are the rest of the Canes able to stand up? They need to post a big total as their attack have proven to be pretty woeful.
This should be a great match with the winner set to have a big advantage in the race for fourth spot. Winning is a habit so I lean towards the home team, but they will want to bat first and post a big total once again.
TIP: Hobart Hurricanes to win - $1.82 at Sportsbet
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers (MCG, Tuesday 7:40pm AEDT)
Two teams that were winless last week come into this clash coming off victories against their respective cross-town rivals. They still sit at the bottom of the BBL07 points table, but the Stars probably still harbour dreams of the finals with a few extra games up their sleeve. They would need to win every game to be a chance which seems unrealistic, but anything is possible in the Big Bash League. At least both teams will come into this match with some confidence which should present a good contest.
The Stars were too strong against an undermanned Renegades team on Friday. They posted a respectable total, on the back of Kevin Pietersen who was back to his best. Glenn Maxwell chipped in at the end, but really, someone of his quality needs to be injected earlier. Ben Dunk has been the biggest flop of the entire BBL07 season, so I’d love to see him dropped or demoted in the order, and Maxwell thrown in at the top.
The Sixers also got their first win of the season on Saturday when they chased down the Thunder’s total off the final ball of the innings. The Sixers were bolstered with several notable inclusions who all performed well. Imports Joe Denly and Carlos Brathwaite were useful, while Moises Henriques was good with both bat and ball, and provides some much-needed experience in their middle order. Throw in Nathan Lyon, and suddenly you’ve filled a few of those hole that have haunted the Sixers all year.
It looks a tough match to pick. On paper, I lean towards the Sixers players, but I feel that the Stars at home, with a little confidence, and faint ambitions of still playing finals, might be enough to get them over the line.
TIP: Melbourne Stars to win - $1.77 at CrownBet
Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes (Adelaide Oval, Wednesday 7:10pm AEDT)
The Strikers will host the Hurricanes on Wednesday in what should be a hard-hitting clash. Expect the short boundaries square of the wicket to be peppered!
The Strikers came away from their trip to Alice Springs empty-handed as they put in their worst batting performance of the season as they were bowled out for just 112. Losing captain Travis Head to the Australian side certainly leaves their batting more vulnerable, but that score doesn’t reflect the strength of their top order. Alex Carey and Colin Ingram have been good, but they will need the middle order to stand up if they lose early wickets. The ball is the strength of the Strikers with Rashid Khan continuing to impress, and well supported by Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake and Ben Laughlin.
The Hurricanes back up for their second match of the round riding a high of five wins in a row after getting past the Heat on Monday night. Once again D’Arcy Short was brilliant, but this time contributions from Dan Christian and Ben McDermott helped them chase down the target of 165 with ease. The Strikers will be crafting a strategy to remove Short early, otherwise the Canes are capable of beating anyone, anywhere with this level of confidence.
This is a battle of second versus third, with the winner in great shape for a home semi-final. The Hurricanes are the form team, but the Strikers are a strong unit, at home, and I think their bowling attack can contain the Canes.
TIP: Adelaide Strikers win - $1.81 at Sportsbet
Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat (SCG, Thursday 7:40pm AEDT)
Both the Sixers and the Heat play their second match of the round at the SCG on Thursday night.
The Sixers will be buoyant after winning two in a row with a demolition job against the Stars. They made a mockery of any suggestion of the pitch being difficult as Daniel Hughes and Nic Maddinson simply destroyed a rather pathetic Stars attack. The Sixers are a new team with the recent changes, and with the GOAT leading the way with the ball, they seem to have all bases covered right now.
The Heat, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have let slip the game against the Hurricanes which was important for their finals chances. If that was important, then this game is crucial! The Heat are a different team without Chris Lynn, and their batting looked weak with Ben Cutting batting as high as five. Joe Burns continues to play well, but they just don’t seem to have the balance right. Cameron Gannon batting at seven and not bowling doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
You’d think the Heat will be desperate to win here, but I feel they have over-achieved this season and lack the depth to be playing finals. The Sixers are now quite strong on paper and have that winning feeling.
TIP: Sixers to win - $1.85 at CrownBet
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