BBL08 Round 2-3
BlueBet previews the BBL08 Round 2-3 action below. Read on for our best betting tips per game and an overview of the feature games this week.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars
24 Dec 2018, 3:45pm (AEDT) - Hobart
Odds: Hurricanes $1.80, Stars $2.02
The first game of a huge Big Bash double-header on Monday will see the 1-0 Hurricanes host the 0-1 Stars. Hobart opened their BBL campaign with a close win over the Heat on the road. Short continued his batting form of last season with a half-century and Archer cleaned up the tail with the ball. Meanwhile, Melbourne started with another disappointing loss as they were no match for the Thunder in a rain shortened game in Canberra.
On the road, Melbourne have won just once in their last 6 games and in all of their last 14 games, they’ve won just twice. So while they have a good record against the ‘Canes, Hobart is coming off a road win and will be keen to win in-front of their home fans.
Top Hurricanes Batsman
One of the safest bets in the BBL is usually D’Arcy Short to top score and $3 odds seems good value. After scoring over 500 runs last season, he opened the season with 67 against the Heat. Which included 4 sixes and 4 boundaries.
Best Bet
Top Stars Batsman
The Stars batting lineup suffered a collapse in the first game with the top four all scoring under 10 runs. But I think Maxwell will stand up after his team’s display in Canberra. He scored 58 in the Stars last clash in Hobart and enjoys the short boundaries on offer in Hobart.
Best Bet
Stadium Record
The Stars have won the last 2 in Hobart, chasing down 185 in January. Hobart went 3-2 at home in BBL07.
Head to Head Record
Melbourne has won 3 straight over the Hurricanes and they hold a 6-2 head to head record in the BBL.
Best Bet
Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers
24 Dec 2018, 7:15pm (AEDT) - Spotless Stadium, Sydney
Odds: Thunder $1.68, Sixers $2.20
It’s Derby time in the Big Bash as the Thunder take on the Sixers this Monday. The stakes are high in this clash as both sides won in Round 1, which means a 2-0 start is on the line. The Thunder easily defended their total against the Stars in the first game. Future star Jason Sangha scored 63 not out and new recruit Daniel Sams took 3-5. Starting the season at the SCG, the Sixers got the job done against the Scorchers. Hughes and Silk put on 124 together as both batsman scored half-centuries. They had the away side 3-9 and ended up winning by 17 runs.
With both sides coming off a win and in a derby clash, this will likely be a very close contest. So I don’t mind the value for the Sixers. In the Derby, the underdog has won the last 3 games and the Thunder are just 2-4 when they’re the favourite in the betting against the Sixers.
Top Thunder Batsman
Buttler kicked off the season with a solid 20 runs off 16 balls before he was bowled by Zampa. Shane Watson also hit 20 odd in the first game and looks good value in this matchup. He loves batting at Spotless Stadium, which includes 77 against the Sixers in last seasons meeting.
Best Bet
Top Sixers Batsman
Daniel Hughes led the Sixers innings in the first game with a well made 62 off 44 balls. He also made 66 in his last innings against the Thunder and has top scored against them in 2 of the last 3 meetings.
Best Bet
Stadium Record
The Thunder hold a 2-3 record at Spotless Stadium. The Sixers lost by a run in the last meeting at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Since 2010, the Sixers are 9-4 against the Thunder. In recent times, the Thunder have won 2 of the last 3 clashes.
Best Bet
Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers
26 Dec 2018, 7:15pm (AEDT) - Optus Stadium, Perth
Odds: Strikers $1.76, Scorchers $2.08
Wednesday will be an action packed day of Cricket with the Boxing Day Test match and the Big Bash to top it off in the evening. Perth will return home to Optus Stadium and they’ll need to get back on track after 2 straight road losses. Their batting has looked suspect against the Renegades and Sixers. Which won’t be any easier without Mitch Marsh, if he plays on Boxing Day. The Strikers head to Perth with a 1-1 record. They started the season with a comfortable win over the Heat and lost a close one at home against the Renegades.
Despite starting 0-2, the Scorchers have a good chance to turn it around at home. They’ve won 5 of their last 6 home games and also enjoy playing the Strikers. They’ve won the last 3 meetings and their bowling unit has dominated in all 3 victories. In both of their losses so far, early wickets haven’t been the issue. They had the Renegades 4-17 in the first game and the Sixers were 3-30 after 5 overs. So the likes of Agar and Tye should be able to contain the Strikers middle order in this one. The Scorchers top order batting hasn’t been great so far. But Klinger is a T20 veteran and Turner/Cartwright both batted well in the Sixers loss. So I'm predicting a turnaround in fortunes for the home side. The Strikers are still missing Travis Head and their batting depth will be tested against the Scorchers bowling unit.
Stadium Record
Perth held a 5-1 record in home games last season but they were comfortably beaten in the first BBL game at this venue in the BBL07 finals. Adelaide is yet to play at Optus Stadium.
Head to Head Record
Perth is 3-0 against the Strikers since 2016 and 7-5 from 2010 onwards.
Best Bet
