The second match of the Big Bash League campaign sees two former champions beginning their assaults to attempt to regain the crown when the Sydney Sixers take on the Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Scorchers had a season to forget last time round when they finished bottom of the pile whereas the Sixers suffered heartbreak in the semi-final of the competition a season ago and will be desperate to go two steps further this time around.
Sydney Sixers
I have full admiration for the Sydney Sixers. They never fill their squad up with superstars like some of the other sides in this competition but they are always competitive in it. They have a well-oiled unit who all know their roles and get them performed to the best of their abilities, and you have to appreciate that. They rarely put up the flashy high scores but at the same time they are not taken to the cleaners very often either.
More often than not, the Sixers will win their matches through the quality of their bowling attack, but there is nothing wrong with that either. That isn’t to say that their batsmen can’t get the job done. They certainly can, but unlike some top orders in this competition, they are about batting time rather than utilising brute power. In many ways it goes against the current T20 grain, but actually in this tournament it is a formula that works for them.
Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers will know they have to deliver a much better showing this term than they did last time out. I think the big thing for them is to find ways to regularly win home matches. You would think on the road they will be more competitive because they are another side who tend to ride the backs of their bowlers to get the job done. It will be interesting to see if they can continue to do that here though because they have a lot of injuries and key players missing.
The problem with that is that when you look at their batting order it doesn’t look the deepest or the most dynamic, so it will be interesting to see just what they have to offer up in that department too. They are really going to need their all-rounders to step up to the plate this season I would suggest. The one thing they do have going for them is a useful array of spin options, which should come in very handy at the SCG.
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Team News
Sydney Sixers have named their squad and there are inclusions in it for Ben Manenti and Hayden Kerr who both need to be in the 12 if they are going to replace Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith. James Vince and Tom Curran are both ready to feature.
Perth Scorchers have named overseas imports Chris Jordan and Liam Livingstone in their squad while there is also an inclusion for Jhye Richardson who has recovered from a shoulder issue. Cameron Bancroft is set to open the batting for the Scorchers.
Betting
I would argue that these are two of the best bowling attacks in the competition and with doubts over the abilities of both the batting line ups I’m not expecting a high scoring game here which makes me pleased that the runs line for this one is as high as 315.5. Only one of the seven matches that were played here last year saw this line covered and I’m not sure I’m expecting either of these attacks to ship 160 here.
There is plenty of firepower in both teams with the ball which could well be significant. We didn’t see this line covered on a belter of a batting wicket in Brisbane in the opening game, and there is often something in the pitch for the bowlers at the SCG. Both teams have good plans with the ball and bowlers who can pick up wickets throughout the innings. Crucially they both have good depth options. I’m on the under on that line.
Tips
WON – Back Under 315.5 runs for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Betway
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