We have a double header of action in the Big Bash League on Saturday with the opening match of the two being a repeat of the final from last season when the Sydney Sixers host the Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Sixers have already played one match this season which they lost so this probably carries extra significance for them. This is the match the Scorchers begin their title defence in and they would love to begin with a win.
Sydney Sixers
The Sixers will be disappointed to lose their opening match. Not only did they lose to their local rivals but they were never truly in control of the game apart from when the Thunder were doing their best to throw it away. That will be the biggest disappointment. They shouldn’t be too down after one match but it is clear an improvement is needed.
The positive for them is that they had a couple of senior players who never contributed much to that first game so if they can perform here they will have every chance of pushing for a much needed win. We know the Sixers tend to finish the season strong but they won’t want to get too far behind parity on the ledger.
Perth Scorchers
The defending champions were the favourites to retain the title for much of the lead up to the competition but three key international call ups and the tragedy that has hit Michael Klinger’s family has got people questioning whether they will have enough to go all the way again, especially with the bat.
We may only find that out once this match has been played out but that certainly appears the weakest part of their unit because their bowling attack still remains very strong. They have such depth with the ball that whichever set of bowlers they pick they are likely to leave out at least two internationals if not more.
Team News
The Sydney Sixers have named the same squad that they went into battle against the Thunder with and it would appear barring a late injury or illness that they will go with an unchanged team.
Perth Scorchers will be missing Cameron Bancroft, Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh who are all on international duty. Michael Klinger is also out as he tends to his wife back at home. David Willey could open the batting.
[the_ad_group id=”3624″]
Betting
There has been a huge gamble on the Sydney Sixers since the Michael Klinger news broke but I’m not sure we should write off the Perth Scorchers completely just yet. Admittedly I wouldn’t want to be backing them after the news broke until we’ve seen them in action but I sense they might not be as bad as people think.
The bet I like here is for there to be under 9.5 sixes. The Sydney Cricket Ground remains a fairly big ground and not many sides get this Perth Scorchers attack away for many sixes. On the flip side of that if the Scorchers are protecting their batting line up then they might put the big shots away initially and in fairness Sydney don’t go for many sixes anyway. The line feels a touch on the high side especially when you consider there were only two sixes between the two here last season.
Tips
WON – Back Under 9.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
Back it here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
