We have another double header of action in the Big Bash League and the first half of it comes from Launceston as the Hobart Hurricanes host the Adelaide Strikers in a match which is probably must win for the home side.
Hobart are now three points adrift of the final playoff spot with just four regular season matches left so it goes without saying that this is a match they need to win. Adelaide are in the top five positions and need to keep on winning to remain there.
Hobart Hurricanes
The Hobart Hurricanes were able to snap their losing run last time out, but only because the rain put paid to any chances of a result against the Sydney Sixers. They now have won just one of their last seven and they are looking every bit of a side who have been decimated by injuries and international call ups. Sometimes you can overcome that sort of thing, but it is their three most important players they have been deprived of and that takes its toll.
There has been no consistency to the Hurricanes all season but the biggest issue they have had is that their batting just hasn’t fired how it needs to often enough to give them a chance in games. They have needed more from them anyway with their two best bowlers missing, but they haven’t been up to the task. They can still make it through to the postseason mathematically but it will need something very special.
Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers are in a bit of an indifferent run themselves with a win and then a loss and that cycle being repeated, but due to a good start to the tournament, they are nicely placed to make it into the postseason. They go into this match off the back of a brutal victory over the Brisbane Heat and they will be looking to follow that up with another win here, which should just about make their playoff spot secure.
The Strikers are another side whose batting has been a little hit and miss in recent times, but as with a number of teams in this competition, when it fires they generally get the job done, as they have an attack that delivers the goods. Adelaide were the winners of this tournament two years ago and will be eager to earn another shot at the title so they will be looking for a solid and consistent end to their regular campaign.
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Team News
The Hobart Hurricanes have named an unchanged squad for this match, I would imagine as much because there are no other options as anything else. D’Arcy Short remains away with Australia while James Faulkner and Riley Meredith are injured.
Adelaide Strikers have also named the same squad as the one they picked from in their win over the Brisbane Heat last time out. They remain without Alex Carey who is out in India with the ODI squad but Travis Head is still around.
Betting
You could well argue that neither of these sides are in the best form but there is no doubt in my eyes that the Adelaide Strikers are in the better shape of the two teams and I think that can be highlighted in the result of the match so I’m going with the away side here. Although they have lost a couple of matches recently, their team looks well balanced so if they perform like they can, and certainly like they did in the previous game I think they’ll be fine.
Hobart Hurricanes have tried their hardest since they lost their two key bowlers but the simple fact is that they haven’t got the resources to get the job done any more and we’ve seen that. If they are to win the game their batsmen need to come off but that won’t be easy against this Adelaide attack. I’m reluctant to get involved in the match outcome at odds on in this format but the 4/5 on an Adelaide win does look the way forward to me here.
Tips
WON – Back Adelaide Strikers to beat Hobart Hurricanes for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Bet365
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