The second half of the Big Bash League double header on Saturday comes from Perth as the defending champions Perth Scorchers take on the Melbourne Stars in another match with plenty of meaning in the overall picture in the competition.
The Scorchers know that they are in the semi-finals regardless of what happens here but should they win this match they will guarantee that they host their match in the last four. Were they to win and the Strikers to lose on Monday then Perth will top the table and get potentially the easier semi-final so they have plenty to play for.
If the Scorchers are to win the game they are going to have to do it without Shaun Marsh who is on international duty still. Michael Carberry came back in for the previous game and looked brilliant which is a boost. Jason Behrendorff misses out here so there could be a weaker part of the Scorchers attack to target.
It looked like the Stars were cruising into the last four but an expected heavy defeat by the Brisbane Heat on Thursday put a serious spanner in the works and their run rate took such a hit in that match that defeat here will see them relying on other results to go their way to make the semi-finals.
One of the reasons for that defeat to the Heat is the continued absence of their ODI players and John Hastings’ late call up certainly hasn’t helped. The Stars struggled with the ball and then got done up by Samuel Badree. They’ve named the same squad for this match largely because they have no other options.
The Stars have everything to play for in this match which could heap the pressure on their shoulders and we’ve just seen them struggle to cope with the pressure of a daunting run chase which was carrying little meaning at the time so I do fear for them here but Perth don’t have to win which puts me off getting involved in the match too much.
One bet I do like, as I often do at the WACA, is under in the sixes market. The line is actually quite high at 12 and although the WACA isn’t the biggest ground in the world the Fremantle Doctor makes hitting to one side of the ground quite tough.
The other thing which keeps the sixes count low is the quality of the Perth bowling attack and nothing is likely to change in that regard here but the Stars can hold their own on that front. Both batting line ups are missing big men and with the tension that could set in here I fancy a low number of sixes in this one.
Back Under 12 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
