BBL07 Semi Finals
BlueBet previews the BBL07 Semi Finals action below. Read on for our best betting tips per game.
Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes
When: 1st Feb 2018, 7:40pm (AEDT)
Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
Odds: Scorchers $1.59, Hurricanes $2.37
Form Guide
Perth finished the season atop the ladder with an 8-2 record and now move across to the new Optus Stadium for this final. In this match, they’ve lost Ashton Agar and Andrew Tye will continue playing for Australia in the IT20 series. But they’ll likely add the Marsh brothers in a huge boost to their squad. They’ll be aiming for back to back titles and will be hard to beat at home.
The Hurricanes snuck into the finals after a Heat loss so they’re very lucky to be playing in Perth. The bad news for Hobart is D'Arcy Short’s great form this season sees him miss this match due to the International T20 matches. They were poor against the Stars last match and will need to lift against the Scorchers. In positive team news, Tim Paine returns to the side at keeper.
Head to Head
The Scorchers are 6-2 against the Hurricanes in BBL History and have won the last 6 against them.
Top Runscorer: Scorchers
For the Scorchers top runscorer, Cam Bancroft is a great value bet. In just 4 innings since joining the side from the test series, he’s scored 193 runs. He’s also passed 40 in 3 of those 4 innings and scored 54 in his last innings against the Hurricanes (top scorer).
Best Bet: C. Bancroft ($3.80)
Top Runscorer: Hurricanes
Tim Paine will have an advantage over his team-mates having played on this pitch in the 5th ODI. He’s in great form with the bat as well. In the ODI series, he scored 117 total runs (average of 58) at number 7 and should enjoy opening the batting for the Hurricanes.
Best Bet: T. Paine ($3.75)
Prediction
Scorchers WIN ($1.59)
The Optus Stadium deck should favour the Scorchers seamers and that will restrict the Hurricanes batting lineup. They have been one of the best chasing teams this season and will be confident if they bat second. Perth is also 6-0 against the Hurricanes and comfortably favourites for this contest. So we’ll be backing the Scorchers to reach the final once again.
Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades
When: 2nd Feb 2018, 7:40pm (AEDT)
Where: Adelaide Oval
Odds: Renegades $1.85, Strikers $1.96
Form Guide
Adelaide finished 2nd on the ladder and earnt a home final against the Renegades. However, they will miss Alex Carey and Travis Head in the batting department. As a result, the batting lineup looks very weak. So the likes of Colin Ingram, Jake Weatherald and co will need to step up. They also lose quick Billy Stanlake with Peter Siddle his most likely replacement. So it’s going to be a tough match for the Strikers with some of their best players out.
The Renegades are one of the form sides coming into the finals. They miss Finch and Richardson for this match, but others are standing up in their place. Cameron White is back and will add to a strong batting lineup. Kieron Pollard has made an impact in this winning streak and will be the key against the Strikers (his old side). They also made a bold move by replacing fan favourite Brad Hogg for Jon Holland. Along with Chris Tremain, Dwayne Bravo and Jack Wildermuth, the Renegades will be confident of bowling the Strikers out.
Head to Head
The Scorchers are 4-3 overall against the Renegades. But the Renegades are 2-0 at the Adelaide Oval against them.
Top Runscorer: Strikers
Without Head and Carey, Ingram is the main man for the Strikers. He smashed 68 against the Renegades in the last meeting, which included 5 sixes. Jono Dean is another batsman to watch for a value bet as he opens the batting now.
Best Bet: C. Ingram (TBA)
Top Runscorer: Renegades
The Renegades is a tough bet with a few in-form batsman. Tom Cooper top scored against the Heat with 65 not out and finishes off the innings very well. He has 3 half-centuries in 8 innings this season. Marcus Harris is in great form at the top of the order and Matthew Short scored 62 last match. Cameron White is their leading scorer but did struggle in the ODI series. So we’ll back Cooper in this one.
Best Bet: T. Cooper (TBA)
Prediction
Renegades WIN ($1.85)
The Strikers will likely struggle without three key players and that should be the major difference in this matchup. The addition of Pollard has given the Renegades another all-round option along with Bravo. They are also 2-0 against the Strikers in Adelaide, so we’ll be backing them in.
