BBL07 Final
BlueBet previews the BBL07 Final between the Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon. Read on for our best betting tips for the final.
Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes
When: 4th Feb 2018, 4:30pm (AEDT)
Where: Adelaide Oval
Odds: Strikers $1.89, Hurricanes $1.92
Form Guide
The Adelaide Strikers are into their first Big Bash final and will host the Hurricanes at home on Sunday. Travis Head was a huge inclusion against the Renegades and he basically carried the innings to a score of 178. The bowlers held the nerve in the end and beat the Renegades by a single run. In this final, Head is the key batsman and will need to score 50+ again without Alex Carey opening (Carey has been a late inclusion in the side). Jono Dean can hit early sixes and he’s one to watch. His other opener, Jake Weatherald, is starting to find form with the bat after two straight half-centuries. The concern for the Strikers is the middle order batting, which is weak on paper. Ingram can hit big sixes but can be hit or miss. The same can be said for Wells and Lehmann.
For the bowlers, Rashid Khan is actually out for this match which is a huge blow. He's been arguably the best spinner in the tournament and kept the Renegades quiet in the latter stages of the semi-final. So Ben Laughlin will be looking to restrict the Hurricanes firepower in the latter stages. Head can also bowl 4 handy overs. But their bowling depth is again a bit weak with Ingram bowling 2 overs and both Siddle/Neser going for 11 runs an over last match. However, they’re favourites at home due to a 5-1 record at the Adelaide Oval this season.
The Hobart Hurricanes thrashed the Scorchers last game and reach their second Big Bash final. At the start of the season, their squad looked weak on paper and started the season with a 0-2 record. But a five game winning streak turned things around. They stumbled against the Stars in the last regular season match but were super impressive in the semi-final. They last made the final in 2014 and lost to the Scorchers, so they’ll be looking for their first BBL title. In their semi final victory, they produced an all-round team performance. A score of 210 batting first is a tough chase and the bowlers picked up early wickets to easily beat the home side. That will be the key against the Strikers. They’ll need Matty Wade to kick off the innings and George Bailey to anchor the innings. Then they bring in Ben McDermott (6 sixes against the Scorchers) and Dan Christian to finish off.
In the bowling department, Tom Rogers was the surprise packet with 3 wickets. They need early wickets and his bowling partnership with Meredith is another key. The pleasing factor for the Hurricanes was Joffra Archer didn’t pick up a wicket and they still easily won, so he’s another x-factor. For this final, they’ll start as the underdog but they won’t mind.
Head to Head
Both sides met each other at home this season and the home side went 2-0. In this matchup, the home side is 5-0 so the Strikers have history on their side at home.
Top Runscorer: Strikers
Travis Head returned to side last match and immediately made an impact with 85 not out. He anchors the innings well and is in great form with the bat, especially at the Adelaide Oval. In the last 3 innings at home, he has scores of 85, 96 (ODI) and 53.
Best Bet: T. Head ($3.25)
Top Runscorer: Hurricanes
For the Hurricanes, there is mainly two options to choose from, either Wade or McDermott. Wade was impressive against the Scorchers, scoring 71 off 45 balls with 10 boundaries. But we like McDermott as his finishing ability is the key. Against the Scorchers, he scored 67 off just 30 balls with 6 sixes. He’ll attack the short boundaries square of the wicket and he has the potential to score big.
Best Bet: B. McDermott ($5)
Prediction
Hurricanes WIN ($1.92)
In Big Bash history, the home side has a 2-4 record in the final. So that’s concerning for the Strikers. They also miss Rashid Khan due to International commitments, Alex Carey’s batting dominance at the top (scored a hundred against the Hurricanes last time) and finding another bowling option without Billy Stanlake. The Hurricanes will be hugely confident after beating the Scorchers in Perth. They come off a 200+ score and should take advantage of the Strikers weaker bowling options. Their bowlers also just cleaned up a Scorchers side with a number of Australian players. So the Hurricanes are a great bet as the underdog once again and we’ll be backing them to take out BBL07.
