The opening Big Bash League match of 2016 comes from the Blundstone Arena in Hobart as the Hobart Hurricanes take on the Sydney Thunder in yet another big match in this exciting tournament.
The Hurricanes go into this match off the back of two easy wins over the Brisbane Heat. That will have given them plenty of confidence at the very least but how much we can take from them as a form guide remains to be seen.
Hobart have named an unchanged squad for this match and unless Shaun Tait makes way after an expensive spell in Brisbane it would be a surprise if they make any changes from the side that won there.
The Thunder have really turned their fortunes around. They’ve gone from being also-rans to table toppers. The Sydney side have played three and won them all and although the Stars should have beaten them they’ve won their other two matches with plenty to spare.
Sydney Thunder have made one change to the squad which saw off the Adelaide Strikers last time out. Jake Doran comes into the squad for Ryan Gibson. Perhaps more importantly Andre Russell, Shane Watson and Jacques Kallis are all available.
This should be a good match. Matches here are usually good ones because the wicket is good for batting and the boundaries are accessible which is everything you want in this format of the game. Add to that we’ve got probably the two strongest batting line ups on show and we’re set for a cracker.
As was the case earlier in the week we’ve got a clash between a side who can bowl and one who is very weak in that area of the game and like when the Scorchers met the Renegades I’m with the side with the bowling attack here and that is the Thunder.
Not only do they have the better bowling attack but they have a really powerful group with the bat and at 10/11 they look a great price in this one.
Another bet I like is for there to be 10 or more sixes. There were 11 sixes in the previous match here but with the line ups on show that doesn’t look a big line. The Thunder’s stars will enjoy this deck while Hobart have hitters all the way down so I’m expecting the sixes total to reach double figures to kick off the New Year.
Back Sydney Thunder to beat Hobart Hurricanes for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Coral
Back 10 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Bet365
