3 minute read
Our cricket expert John M provides his full in-depth preview, analysis and expert Big Bash tips across each and every match of the 2024/25 BBL 14 T20 Cricket series, right here on the Betfair Hub!
MELBOURNE STARS V SYDNEY THUNDER
After dropping their first three games, things are already getting desperate for the Melbourne Stars as they prepare to face the Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval on Saturday night. A lack of domestic bowling talent and regular changes to the batting order are at the heart of the Stars' shocking start to BBL14, however in international all-rounders Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Tom Curran there's no doubt they have enough match-winning talent to beat any side. They take on a Thunder side who will be kicking themselves after they conceded 15 runs off the last over to go down to crosstown rivals the Sixers last Saturday, overshadowing a superb 70 not out off 52 balls from the revitalised Cameron Bancroft.
Betting Strategy
It's hard to know exactly where these prices will land with the Stars playing two days prior, however it is notable that the Thunder have won the last three matches between these two. One player of interest is Melbourne keeper-batsman Sam Harper who often perishes early, out in singles figures in eight of his past 12 BBL knocks, however when batting in the top three he has top-scored 22% of the time over his T20 career and therefore represents good value in that particular market.
Back Sam Harper Top Melbourne Stars Batter at $6.00+ for 1 unit
BRISBANE HEAT V SYDNEY SIXERS
Two of the competition's early pacesetters line up in a classic at the Gabba on Sunday night with the Heat and the Sixers looking to entrench themselves on the top of the ladder. Brisbane have now made a habit of winning, prevailing in 11 of their past 13 matches prior to Boxing Day with an underrated ingredient to their success being the economy of spinners Mitch Swepson and Matthew Kuhnemann who between them conceded just 6.94 runs an over across the Heat's opening two games. It's a similar story for Sydney who have relied on their flexible attack to them out of a few sticky situations and with the likes of Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Hayden Kerr and Ben Dwarshuis all able to contribute with both bat and ball, it sets up a mouthwatering clash.
Betting Strategy
Again the market will be shaped by what happens in each side's encounters on Boxing Day but there's unlikely to be too much between these tournament heavyweights. There is often drama when these two sides meet but these contests are also often shaped by dominant bowling attacks and so we don't envision too many balls clearing the ropes.
Back Total Sixes 9 and Under at $1.80+ for 1 unit
SYDNEY THUNDER V MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Two teams on the rise head to Homebush's ENGIE Stadium with the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades hoping to push further for a top-four birth on Monday night. After just the solitary victory in BBL13 there are already some positives signs for the Thunder across their first couple of games and there is certainly still some room for improvement with captain David Warner and overseas pair Sam Billings and Sherfane Rutherford still really yet to hit their stride. Last Monday the Renegades made it two wins from their first three bouts, getting the better of the Perth Scorchers on a tricky Marvel pitch where all-rounder Tom Rogers claimed 3/22 off his four overs before the Gades suck home with an over to spare and two wickets in hand despite no individual bettering Jacob Bethall's 30 off 22 balls.
Betting Strategy
It's a short turnaround for the Thunder who play the Stars on Saturday night and if they win that match they likely still marginal favs here, although a loss may see Melbourne go off the shorter price. Much has been expected of the Gades' explosive top-order and as such they are usually odds-on to hit the most sixes, however they've only managed to do so once this season, whilst Sydney have cleared the fence more than their opponents in five of their past eight so we're going to take on the visitors' hitting capabilities in this one.
Lay Melbourne Renegades Most Sixes at $2.00 or better for 1 unit
TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW
The twelfth edition of the BBL promises to be one of the most keenly-contested yet with a couple of key changes set to increase the standard of cricket on what we have seen in recent seasons'. Firstly Covid protocols seem unlikely to strip teams bare of a number of players as we saw in BBL11, but most significantly Australian representatives will be able to compete in a high proportion of matches with no international limited overs matches scheduled during the tournament. That may be slightly offset by a number of imports leaving the competition early to compete in rival leagues, but domestic players still hold the key with the Perth Scorchers looking to go back-to-back for the second time in their history, while at the other end of the spectrum the Melbourne Renegades will be desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.
SYDNEY THUNDER V MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Two teams on the rise head to Homebush's ENGIE Stadium with the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades hoping to push further for a top-four birth on Monday night. After just the solitary victory in BBL13 there are already some positives signs for the Thunder across their first couple of games and there is certainly still some room for improvement with captain David Warner and overseas pair Sam Billings and Sherfane Rutherford still really yet to hit their stride. Last Monday the Renegades made it two wins from their first three bouts, getting the better of the Perth Scorchers on a tricky Marvel pitch where all-rounder Tom Rogers claimed 3/22 off his four overs before the Gades suck home with an over to spare and two wickets in hand despite no individual bettering Jacob Bethall's 30 off 22 balls.
Betting Strategy
It's a short turnaround for the Thunder who play the Stars on Saturday night and if they win that match they are likely still marginal favs here, although a loss may see Melbourne go off the shorter price. Much has been expected of the Gades' explosive top-order and as such they are usually odds-on to hit the most sixes, however they've only managed to do so once this season, whilst Sydney have cleared the fence more than their opponents in five of their past eight so we're going to take on the visitors' hitting capabilities in this one.
Lay Melbourne Renegades Most Sixes at $2.00 or better for 1 unit
