The Knockout Final takes centre stage on Wednesday night as the Hobart Hurricanes host the Melbourne Stars at Ninja Stadium, with the winner advancing to the Challenger and the loser sent packing. Hobart earned the right to host by finishing third, while the Stars scraped into fourth, but both sides arrive licking their wounds after disappointing finishes to the regular season.
Also, be sure to check out our list of best BBL betting sites for the current season to make sure you're getting the best odds!
We recommend joining Dabble for the best social punting experience. Click here to get your Dabble code now!
Big Bash League (BBL15) The Knockout - Hurricanes vs Stars Betting Tips
Ninja Stadium, Wednesday 21st January, 7:15pm AEDT
Hobart Hurricanes
The Hurricanes were the first team to officially lock in a finals spot this season, but they limped over the line late. A draw and a loss in their final two games dropped them into the Knockout, and that last-start defeat against Brisbane will sting. Bowling first, Hobart were outstanding, restricting the Heat to 8 for 160 thanks to sharp spells from Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith.
With the bat, everything looked under control. Ben McDermott’s fluent 59 off 36 and Beau Webster’s steady 51 off 43 had the Hurricanes cruising, needing just 25 runs with four overs to spare. What followed was a nightmare collapse, losing 4 for 7 in the space of 13 balls to hand Brisbane a miraculous win. Without Tim David to stabilise or finish innings, Hobart’s batting depth is starting to look thin at the worst possible time.
Melbourne Stars
The Stars arrive after a sobering loss to the Scorchers in their final game, a defeat that dropped them to fourth and into this sudden-death scenario. Batting first, Melbourne never found momentum and were rolled for just 120, with Marcus Stoinis again the lone pillar of resistance, grinding out 55 from 39.
The bowling attack could not apply sustained pressure in the chase, with only Haris Rauf posing genuine problems as Perth cruised home. Still, the Stars’ season has been built on their bowling unit, and even through patches of poor batting form they have remained competitive thanks to consistent wicket-taking across all phases.
Match Prediction
This shapes as a fascinating contest between Hobart’s home-ground advantage and Melbourne’s superior bowling depth. The absence of Tim David now feels significant for the Hurricanes, particularly after watching their middle order unravel under pressure against Brisbane.
Ninja Stadium is a good batting venue, but it also rewards teams who can attack at the death, and that is an area where Hobart look vulnerable. The Stars, meanwhile, have reached the finals despite Glenn Maxwell contributing very little with the bat so far. If he finds even a fraction of his best on this surface, it dramatically changes the complexion of their line-up.
For mine, the Stars look well placed to bounce back. Their bowling unit has been one of the best in the competition all season and matches up nicely against a Hurricanes batting group that is starting to feel stretched. With Stoinis providing leadership and class through the middle, and the potential upside of Maxwell finally firing, Melbourne have the higher ceiling in a knockout setting. Back the Stars to spoil the party in Hobart and book a Challenger clash with either the Sixers or the Scorchers.
Stars to Win
$2.20 (2.5 Units)
BBL Hurricanes vs Stars Prop Bet
The player prop angle sits neatly with Haris Rauf to take 2 or more wickets. The Pakistan quick consistently bowls the overs that matter most, operating through the power surge and at the death, and he has already collected 2 or more wickets in six of his ten games this season. In a must-win final against a Hurricanes side prone to late-innings collapses, Rauf looks perfectly placed to strike again.
