Three matches remain in the Big Bash League season and they are all do or die from here on in. They begin with the Knockout match on Sunday which sees the Sydney Thunder hosting the Brisbane Heat with the winner off to Perth on Thursday to face the Perth Scorchers in the Challenger.
The Brisbane Heat go into this match in the knowledge that they have already come through two knockout matches to make it this far but although the Sydney Thunder were not in complete do or die territory in their last regular season match, defeat would not have been enough to see them through so it was knockout in all but name.
Sydney Thunder
Given that their last match was a knockout clash in all but name, it was extremely positive both in the way they played and the emphatic nature in which they beat the Adelaide Strikers. Another encouraging part of that victory was that they chased down a score. Prior to that their best cricket had come when they set a total so to be able to win batting first or second is something that should stand them in good stead over what they hope will be three matches this week.
We know all about the Sydney Thunder and their batting prowess. They are possibly the best batting side in the competition, but in the last couple of matches in particular they have found something with the ball. This is just about the perfect time to be finding their best with the ball and if they continue to be strong in that department then they could yet be toasting their second Big Bash League title in Sydney next Saturday.
Brisbane Heat
The Sydney Thunder are not the only team who have held their nerve under the intense pressure of knockout cricket. The Brisbane Heat have actually done it twice and although you would find it hard to argue that they looked convincing on either occasion, winning under such pressure should never be taken for granted or criticised. You get the feeling they will need to step it up here if they are to head to Perth on Thursday but they have that in them.
The Heat have begun to impress with the ball but they will be tested to the full in that department here against a wonderful Sydney Thunder batting unit. They suddenly have a lot of options at their disposal and they might need to turn to all of them throughout this encounter. Based on how they stuttered to victory against the Adelaide Strikers on Friday, you feel it is important that they get off to a good start with the bat else the nerves could really creep in once again.
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Team News
The Sydney Thunder have been boosted by the news that Daniel Sams has been passed fit to return after missing the final three matches of the regular season with a hand injury. He’ll replace one of Brendan Doggett or Nathan McAndrew.
It is probably no surprise that the Brisbane Heat have named an unchanged squad for this match. It will be interesting to see if they bring Max Bryant back for Sam Heazlett to take advantage of the powerplay. Morne Morkel will be hoping to start from the outset too.
Betting
Given that I have backed the Sydney Thunder to win this tournament I am hoping that they are good enough to come through this match but as I’m on them I’m not going to back them at a short price to win. I’ll instead go to the side markets where on this occasion I’m going to play the sixes. The line here is 10.5 which looks a little on the low side, particularly when you consider that when these two sides met here earlier in the competition there were 19 sixes.
We are lucky in that we’ve already seen a match on this pitch on Saturday when the Sydney Sixers played here against the Perth Scorchers and although there were only 10 sixes in that match there were countless hits that bounced just short of the rope and in the first innings of that match the pitch was a little tricky to bat on. The moisture that was in it from rain earlier in the week looked to disappear as the game went on so I’m expecting a belter of a batting wicket here. We have the two biggest six hitters in the competition on show here in Alex Hales and Chris Lynn but as well as them Max Bryant, Lewis Gregory, Sam Billings, Ben Cutting and Daniel Sams are all clean hitters of a cricket ball. I expect to see at least 11 sixes sail over the ropes here and probably a few more besides.
Tips
WON – Back Over 10.5 sixes for a 3/10 stake at 1.73 with BetVictor
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