Big Bash League Round 3 Preview - 2016/2017
Big Bash League Round 3 Preview. There is no better way to start 2017 than with the Big Bash. The next round of matches begins with the Melbourne derby at the home of cricket. Perth hosts two important matches and the Stars will be looking to atone for last season’s final defeat against a different Thunder outfit. In an interesting scheduling quirk Hobart and Adelaide play each other twice in four days. Get set for plenty of action.
Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades
MCG, 1 January
This is the prized fixture on the schedule; two strong Melbourne teams playing in front of a huge New Year’s crowd. The Stars have only played once this season. They comfortably chased down Hobart’s 188 and now welcome back Kevin Pieterson. The Renegades have been playing good cricket too. They beat the Thunder and narrowly lost to their nemesis, the Scorchers, but they have lost star import Dwayne Bravo.
Stadium Record
The Stars have split their last 9 matches at the MCG for 4 wins, 4 losses and a tie. Their last home match was the final last season which they lost to the Thunder. The Renegades have only won 1 match from 5 attempts at the MCG. That solidarity win was in 2013.
Head to Head Record
The Stars have won the last 6 matches against their cross town rivals. Their two wins last season were by 8 wickets and 7 wickets, with the home 7 wicket victory before 80,000 spectators.
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder
WACA, 1 January
The Scorchers are positioning themselves for another crack at the title after a last ball win over the Renegades. Their usual modus operandi of wearing down the opposition with the ball will be applied again. Their batting is not as strong and they will be hoping that Shaun Marsh makes runs. Sydney was on track for their first win this season until Chris Lynn took charge. Dropped catches proved costly and now the Thunder is winless after three matches.
Stadium Record
The Scorchers have a 69% winning record at the WACA, which includes their 48 run win this season against Adelaide. The Thunder has 1 win from 3 attempts at the Furnace. It was a 20 run win on New Year’s Day 2015.
Head to Head Record
Sydney’s New Year’s victory two years ago was their only triumph over the Scorchers. Perth won the four other contests, including a 30 run victory last season in Sydney.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers
Blundstone Arena, 2 January
Hobart is averaging 187 per innings this season with the bat, but they only have 1 win to show for it. Broad, Tait, Rose, Boyce and Kingston need to adjust their plans as they have all gone for runs at times. Adelaide will be trying to exploit this with the likes of Dunk, Head and Hodge, but they have had their own problems containing opponents with the ball.
Stadium Record
Hobart’s Boxing Day loss to the Melbourne Stars dropped their home record below 50%. Adelaide has only played one game at Blundstone Arena after a ‘no result’ in BBL03. It was a 38 run win in 2013.
Head to Head Record
Adelaide has won the last three matches between these teams including last season’s memorable victory when Jake Lehmann hit a six off the last ball.
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers
Gabba, 3 January
Before T20 and Big Bash cricket it was if Lillee doesn’t get you, Thommo will. Brisbane now boasts an equally damaging pair; McCullum and Lynn. Either or both have made huge contributions in their 3 wins. Can the Heat win if both fail? It is a question the Sixers would like to pose. They successfully used spinners Botha and O’Keefe against Perth’s top order and they might do the same to Brisbane.
Stadium Record
Brisbane’s home win against the Hurricanes slightly improved their poor record at the Gabba. The Sixers are undefeated at the Gabba. They won their three games by 6 wickets, 4 runs and 5 wickets.
Head to Head Record
Brisbane won last season’s battle by 6 runs at the SCG, however it was the Heat’s first win over the Sixers. Sydney won the first 4 matches between these teams.
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars
Spotless Stadium, 4 January
The Thunder is not the same team as last season, but they still have weapons. Watson, Morgan, Russell and Cummins can all impact games, and they need to against the powerhouse Stars. Melbourne is backing up after their New Year’s Day encounter against the Renegades. Their batting is incredibly strong and looks capable of chasing down any total.
Stadium Record
The Thunder lost both their home games this season. The Stars have played at Spotless Stadium once. It was in 2015 and it was an 8 wicket victory.
Head to Head Record
This is the rematch of last season’s final, which Sydney won by 3 wickets. The Thunder won both encounters last season, including the final and a 1 run win at the MCG. Before that the Stars won 3 in a row against the Thunder.
Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat
WACA, 5 January
This is Perth’s second home game in four days. Brisbane would have reviewed how the Sydney Sixers brought down the Scorchers. They targeted openers Michael Klinger and Shaun Marsh with spin. Brisbane will again lean on McCullum and Lynn with the bat, while Badree and Steketee have been bowling well. It’s an even contribution mentality from the Scorchers versus Brisbane’s match winners.
Stadium Record
Playing Perth at the WACA is arguably the hardest task in the Big Bash as they have a very good home record. Like most teams Brisbane has struggled there with only 1 win from 4 attempts. However, that win was the BBL02 Final.
Head to Head Record
Perth holds a 4-2 winning record over Brisbane. The Scorchers have won the last two by 9 wickets and 8 wickets against the Heat.
Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes
Adelaide Oval, 6 January
These two teams only played each other four days ago. Will a change of venue make a difference? Hobart has had the edge with the bat this season, while Adelaide is more balanced and settled with the ball. A loss would impact finals aspirations.
Stadium Record
Adelaide has not been as strong at home compared to last season. Hobart has only 1 win at the Adelaide Oval and it was in BBL01. Since then they have lost both their matches there.
Head to Head Record
Coming into this season Hobart had only beaten Adelaide once and that was in BBL01.
For the latest Big Bash markets, click here.
Words: Rhys Thurston
