Adelaide Strikers (0-0) vs Hobart Hurricanes (1-0)
Sun 13 Dec 2020 @ Blundstone Arena, Hobart
Adelaide will be the last team to kick off their BBL10 campaign on Sunday afternoon and it's a really tough start as they have to play the Hurricanes as the "home" team in Hobart. To make matters worse, their keeper and key batsman Alex Carey is currently keeping for Australia A against India. Travis Head is also missing as he prepares for the first Test. So the likes of Phil Salt, Weatherald, new recruit Matt Renshaw and Jon Wells will need to build key partnerships. In the bowling department, Peter Siddle will captain the side and Daniel Worrall is a handy inclusion from the Stars. They'll also welcome back fan favourite Rashid Khan.
Hobart started their BBL10 season with a good overall performance between bat and ball as they beat the Sixers. After losing both openers for a duck, the Canes steadied behind Ingram's 55 and Tim David smacked 58 off 33 in his Hurricanes debut. Meanwhile, Faulkner and Meredith were the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets apiece as the Sixers fell short by 16 runs. But areas of improvement will include keeping wickets in hand during the batting powerplay and Nathan Ellis/Scott Boland were both expensive with the ball.
Despite taking this home game to Hobart, the Strikers are current favourites which is mainly because of their 8-5 head to head record against the 'Canes. However, Adelaide is missing two key players in Carey and Head, which puts them at a massive disadvantage. Not to mention, the Hurricanes have already played their first game of the season and took down the defending champions. Back the 'Canes.
Stadium Record
Adelaide hold a 1-2 record at this venue. The Hurricanes are 3-3 in their last 6 at Blundstone Arena.
Head to Head Record
The Hurricanes won the last meeting but overall, the Strikers hold an 8-5 record in BBL history.
Best Bet
Sydney Sixers (0-1) vs Melbourne Renegades (1-0)
Sun 13 Dec 2020 @ Blundstone Arena, Hobart
The Sixers kicked off BBL10 with a disappointing loss in Hobart, especially after reducing the Hurricanes to 2-4 after 1.1 overs. Their bowling lineup missed the likes of Abbott and Curran as their overall lineup was quite expensive with the ball. Which made it a tough chase for their batting lineup. The chase got off to a horrible start with Philippe out in the first over as well. However, Edwards and Vince steadied the innings with a 116 run partnership. But one of the Sixers real weak points is their middle order hitting if both Hughes and Silk bat together, as neither player can really clear the ropes. So the Sixers will hopefully make adjustments to their lineup so the likes of Christian or Brathwaite bat earlier.
Melbourne were at their clinical best against the Scorchers on Saturday night as they cruised to a 7 wicket victory to open BBL10. Josh Lalor and Kane Richardson were both brilliant with the ball as they took 3 wickets each. They ripped through Perth's top order as at one stage they were 3-19 after 3 overs, which the Scorchers never recovered from. In chase of 130 against a very strong bowling lineup, Shaun Marsh played a masterful 62 off 47 balls and was well supported by Aaron Finch (35 off 28). After finishing dead last in BBL09, this was the perfect start to the new season.
After their Saturday night thrashing of the Scorchers, the Renegades lineup looks very dangerous and we believe they'll continue the momentum against the Sixers. Meanwhile, the Sixers have a few problems to sort out, such as fixing their middle order and finding a way of replacing Curran, Abbott and Henriques. Which at the moment, is simply not an easy fix. Take the 'Gades for a 2-0 start.
Stadium Record
The Sixers lost their opening game of BBL10 at this venue on Thursday night. Melbourne beat the Scorchers at the same venue on Saturday night.
Head to Head Record
The Sixers hold a 7-5 head to head record and have also won the last 2 meetings.
Best Bet
Sydney Thunder (0-1) vs Brisbane Heat (0-1)
Mon 14 Dec 2020 @ Manuka Oval, Canberra
The Thunder will look for their first win on Monday night after they were out-matched by the Stars on Saturday afternoon in a 22 run loss. Firstly, we're not sure why they bowled spin to Stoinis in the powerplay after he was knocked over by pace in the opening game. That decision cost them big time as the big Stoin belted 61 in the Stars 169 total. However, the Thunder will be happy with their death bowling as they pegged back what could have been 200+. The other problem coming into BBL10 was the Thunder middle order if their top 3 didn't bat the bulk of the 20 overs and that was the case on Saturday. But Ferguson did his job with a classy 54 and Hales made 46 off 41.
The Heat were absolutely dreadful in their opening BBL10 loss to the Stars on Friday night. They kind of remind us of the Renegades last year, a lot of their International players have pulled out and they've been left to play the youngsters. Their batting is still just hit or miss and basically relies on Lynn hitting 50+. But when teams can easily stop him with spin after the powerplay, they really have no answers in building a big total. Not to mention, their shocking running between the wickets. However, there are some positives in their bowling lineup. Xavier Bartlett looked brilliant with the new ball and removed Stoinis in the first over. Kuhnemann also bowled well and finished with an economy rate under 6.
There's no way you can back the Heat after their performance in Game 1. Their batting lineup is dysfunctional and only a Chris Lynn masterclass can save them. However, the Thunder have plenty of spin options to stop him. So just can't see the Thunder dropping this winnable game.
Stadium Record
The Thunder are now 1-5 in Canberra. Brisbane hold an 0-1 record in Canberra after their Friday night defeat.
Head to Head Record
The Heat have won 8 of 10 against the Thunder in BBL history.
Best Bet
